Humble Police Department: Family Violence: A Personal Safety Plan

What is Family Violence?
Family violence is an act by a member of a family or household against another member of the family or household that in intended to result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault, sexual assault, or a threat that reasonably places the member in fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, assault or sexual assault. Family violence does not include defensive measure to protect oneself.

A Personal Safety Plan
During an explosive incident ...

If there is an argument, try to be in a place that has an exit. Avoid the bathroom, kitchen or any room that may contain weapons.
Use your instincts and judgement. In a dangerous situation, appease the abuser if possible to keep him or her calm.
Practice getting out of your home safely. Identify which doors, windows, elevator or stairwell to use.
Pack a bag and have it ready at a friend's or relative's house.
Identify one or more neighbors whom you can tell about the violence, and ask them to call the police if they hear a disturbance coming from your home.
Devise a code word to use with your children, family, friends and neighbors when you need the police.
Decide and plan where you will go if you ever have to leave home.

Remember: You do not deserve to be hit or threatened.

When you are preparing to leave

Open a checking account or savings account in your own name.
Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents and extra clothes and medicines in a safe place or with someone you trust.
Get your own post office box.
Find a safe place where you and your children can go or a person who can lend you money.
Always keep the shelter phone number and some change or a calling card with you for emergency phone calls.
If you have pets, make arrangements for them to be cared for in a safe place.

Remember: Leaving your batterer is teh time to be most cautious.

What you need to take with you
Identification

Driver's License
Birth Certificate
Children's Birth Certificates
Social Security Cards

Financial

Money and/or credit cards (in your name)
Checking and.or savings account books
Children's Birth Certificates
Social Security Cards

Legal Papers

Protective Order
Lease, rental agreement, house deed
Car registration and insurance papers
Health and life insurance papers
Medical records for you and your children
School records
Work permits/Green Card
Passport/Visa
Divorce and custody papers
Marriage license

Other

Medications
House and car keys
Valuable jewelry
Address book
Pictures and sentimental items
Change of clothes for you and your children

Get a protective order

If you or your children have been threatened or assaulted, you can request a Protective Order from your local district or county attorney.
Always keep your Protective Order with you.
Call the police if your abuser violates the Protective Order.
Inform family members, friends, schools and neighbors that you have a Protective Order in effect.
Think of alternative ways to keep safe if the police do not respond immediately.

Feeling safe in your own home

If you stay in your home, lock your windows and change the locks on your doors.
Develop a safety plan with your children for when you are not with them.
Inform you child's school, day-care, etc., about who has permission to pick up your child.
Inform your neighbors and the landlord that your partner no longer lives with you and that they should call the police if they see him/her near your home.
Never call the abuser from you home; he/sheay find out where you live. Never tell the abuser where you live.
Request an unlisted/unpublished number from the telephone company.

Feeling safe on the job and in public places

Decide whom you will inform at work of your situation. Tell the building security officers, and if possible, provide them with a picture of your batterer.
When at work, if possible, have someone screen your calls.
Have someone escort you to and from your car, bus or train.
Use a variety of routes to come and go from home.

Feeling safe on the job and in public places

Decide whom you will inform at work of your situation. Tell the building security officers, and if possible, provide them with a picture of your batterer.
When at work, if possible, have someone screen your calls.
Have someone escort you to and from your car, bus or train.
Use a variety of routes to come and go from home.

Crime Victim Services Division
The Crime Victim Services Divisions consists of four sections: The Sexual Assault Prevention and Crisis Services Program, the Grant and Contract Management Section, the Statewide Automated Victim Notification Program and the Crime Victims' Compensation Program.

Crime Victims' Compensation
If you are a victim of family violence, you may be eligible for reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket expenses related to the crime. Please check our Web Site or call for information and an application form.

Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 12198
Austin, Texas 78711-2198

(800)983-9933 Statewide
(512)936-1200 in Austin
(512)936-1800 Fax
www.oag.state.tx.us

Texas Council on Family Violence
National Domestic Violence Hotline
(800)799-SAFE (7233)

Women's Advocacy Project
Family Violence Hotline
(800)374-HOPE (4673)

Back to Crime Victim Information