What you can do in advance
- Put together a list of phone numbers. Include friends, relatives, local police, Women’s Aid, support workers etc. Do not rely on numbers being stored in your mobile phone. Even well known numbers are forgotten in a panic. Keep the list with you, or put it somewhere safe that you can easily get hold of.
- See if there is someone who lives nearby who you can tell about the abuse, ask them to call the police if they hear things go off.
- Try and save some money for travel costs.
- Get an extra set of keys cut for the house/car. Keep keys, money, documents & clothes for you and the children packed, so that you can get away quickly.
- Think about where you would go, have a couple of options. How would you get there?
- Talk to the children so that they understand and can help/co-operate in an emergency. Teach them how to dial 999; even if the phone is left off the hook the police can still trace it.
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What you can do to protect yourself in an emergency
- Try to move to a low risk area/room. Avoid places with sharp instruments, such as the kitchen, bathroom or garage. Avoid places that you can get trapped in; try to stay near a door so that you can get out.
- Find somewhere you can easily and quickly use a phone, neighbour, relative etc.
- Ring 999 yourself or if possible get one of the children to ring.
- Trust your own judgement. If you’re frightened don’t hesitate to find a way to get help or to get out.
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Things to remember if you plan in advance to leave
- Leave when the abuser is not around.
- Take all your children with you.
- Take legal & financial papers (court orders etc.), marriage & birth certificates, national health cards, passports, driving license, benefit books, benefit/tax credit award letters, cheque book, credit cards, bank statements etc.
- Take clothing for at least several days.
- Take any medicine you or the children might need.
- Take personal possessions, which have sentimental value such as photographs & jewellery.
- Take favourite toys for the children.
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