Safety in Living in a Home Where Violence May Occur: Decide and plan where you will go if you leave home (even if you don’t think you will need to) Practice how to get out of your home safely. Identify which door, window, elevator or stairwell would be best. Have a packed bag ready and keep at a trustworthy relative’s or friend’s home. Identify one or more neighbors who you can safely disclose the violence to and ask them to call the police if they hear a disturbance coming from your home. Devise a code word or signal to use with your children, family, friends, and neighbors when you need the police. If you believe an argument/incident is going to occur, leave if possible. If not, try to move to a room where you have access to an exit and or a phone. Stay away from any room without and outside door or window or a room with items that could be used as weapons such as a kitchen or garage. Use your own instincts and judgment. If the situation is very dangerous, do whatever is necessary to be safe. This may mean giving the abuser what he/she wants to calm him/her down. Keep your cell phone with you at all times. If necessary, call “911” for help. Remember – You do not deserve to be hit, threatened or live in fear? Safety When Preparing to Leave: Contact a domestic violence hotline to discuss your safety options Open a savings account and/or credit card in your own name Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents, and clothes with someone you trust. Determine who would be able to let you stay with them or lend you some money. Keep the phone number of the 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline close at hand and keep some change or a calling card on you at all times for emergency phone calls. Review your safety plan to plan the safest way to leave your batterer. Remember – Leaving your batterer is a very dangerous time! Safety with a Protective Order: Keep your protective order on you at all times. Give a copy to a trusted friend, family member, or clergy person. Keep a copy in your car. Give a copy to your children’s school and daycare. Call the police if your batterer violates the protective order Think of other ways to keep safe until law enforcement arrives Safety in Public or at Work: Tell your co-worker(s), boss, and /or office or building security about your situation. Provide a picture of your batterer. Devise a code word to use to communicate that you need assistance Screen your calls Devise a safety plan for leaving work. Have someone escort you to your car or bus and wait with you until you are safely on your way. Vary your routes home. Think about what you would do if something happened while going home. Change your work routine Safety While Using Technology Be careful about MySpace or Facebook accounts. Abusers can easily find out what you are doing and who you are talking with. Create new email accounts. Do not create or check this new account from your home computer in case it is being monitored. If your abuser sends you threatening emails or text messages, save and print them. It is virtually impossible to clear where you have been on a computer. In fact, trying to clear the history could actually tip off your abuser to your plans. Try to use a safer computer at a library, community center, or other public place to find needed resources. Protect your email and voice mail passwords and PIN numbers. Change them often. Minimize the use of cordless phones for sensitive conversations. Older models can be intercepted with a scanner or baby monitor. Cell phones can be used to track your location. Contact your cell phone company to make sure your cell phone cannot be ` used in this way. Make sure there are no GPS or tracking devices in your car Safety for your pets: Keep emergency provisions for your pet if your abuser withholds money from you Keep the phone number of the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic Establish ownership of your pet by creating a paper trail (e.g., obtain a pet license, have a vet put records in your name and have a copy of your pet’s medical records). Contact your local SPCA to see if they have a program to help keep pets safe National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) Remember: Each situation is different. Safety suggestions in this document are general. Contact a domestic violence hotline for a more specific plan. Protective Order A protective order is a civil order that helps stop violent and harassing behavior and helps protect you and your family from an abuser. Protective orders are available to people who were involved in a dating relationship, family members, or household members in situations where family violence had occurred and is likely to occur in the future. A protective order may prohibit and abuser from (1) committing family violence; (2) directly communicating with a member of the family or household in a threatening or harassing manner; or (3) going to or near the residence, school, or workplace of people listed in the order. A violation of any of these provisions of a protective order is a Criminal Offense. Interviewing Hours NOTE: Interviews are on a first-come, first-served basis Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 3 PM Family Criminal Law Division 1201 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor, Suite 2160 Houston, Texas 77002 713-755-5888 Mailing Address: Harris County District Attorney's Office Family Criminal Law Division 1201 Franklin Street, Suite 600 Houston, Texas 77002 Checklist of Important Things to take when You Leave: Identification Driver’s license or other form of identification Birth certificates Social Security cards Work permits/VISA Assistance Identification Passports Financial Money, debit cards, credit card Bank books and checkbooks Public Assistance documentation Pay stubs for both you and your abuser Loan information Other important papers Your protective order Lease, rental agreement, or house deed Health and life insurance papers Medical and vaccination records for you and your children School Records Divorce and custody papers Other Items House and car keys Medications, glasses, hearing aids Address Book Phone cards Family photographs Children’s toys Change of clothes for you and the kids Pet Items Other__________________ Back to Crime Victim Information Copyright Humble Police Department © 2009 All Rights Reserved Location: 310 Bender Avenue Humble TX 77338 Phone: 281.446.7127 - Emergency: 9-1-1