Safety Planning

Take Action Now

Even though you may be afraid, your safety and the safety of your children may depend on your willingness to act. It is more dangerous to do nothing than to take some action. There are many thing you can do before, during and after a violent incident.

Before a Violent Incident

Contact McHenryCountyTurningPoint.org

24 Hour Crisis Line 1-800-892-8900

During Business hours 1-815-338-8081

Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) 1-800-787-3224

Spanish translation is available

To Prepare

Identify two people near my home and ask them to call the police if they hear a disturbance

Devise a code word or signal to use with family, friends or neighbors when I need them to call the police

Open my own savings account to increase my independence

Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents and extra clothes with someone I trust

Decide where I'll go if I leave my home, even if right now I don't think it will come to that

Identify a domestic violence shelter to call

Find out if a friend or relative will let me stay with them or lend me money

Keep the shelter hotline close at hand and keep change or a calling card on me at all times

Identify which door, window, stairwell or elevator offers the quickest way out of the house and practice escape route

Teach children to dial 911

Pack a bag, have it ready to go and keep the bag in a private but accessible place where it can be grabbed quickly

Take the Following Items

Money - cash, my checkbook, credit cards, ATM cards, etc.

Identification - driver's license and registration, Social Security card, passport, green card, public assistance ID, work permit, etc.

Important papers - divorce papers, school and vaccination records, birth certificates for me and my children, lease or rental agreements and insurance papers

Clothing

Keys - house, car or work

Medication

Order of Protection - keep it with me at all times.

Review Safety Plan

Prepare and review safety plan as often as possible. Turning Point has provided a personalized safety plan for you to download. The seven steps outlined are part of a plan to increase your safety.

During a Violent Incident

If an Argument Starts

Use my judgment and intuition. If the situation is very dangerous, I can give the abuser what he wants to calm him down. I have to protect myself and the kids until we are out of danger.

Stay close to a room or area with easy access to an exit.

Stay away from the bathroom, kitchen or anywhere near weapons.

Defend and protect myself. Call for help. Scream loudly and continuously.

Get away. Try to get my packed bag on the way out, but if it's too dangerous, just leave.

Go to a relative, friend or shelter.

Call 911 or my local police.

Police

The Police must try to protect you from future abuse.

They are required to provide or arrange transportation to a hospital or other safe place for you.

They should arrest the abuser if they have enough evidence of a crime.

They must give you a paper which explains your rights and lists a social service agency that can help.

After a Violent Incident

Get Medical Attention Immediately

Tell the doctor or nurse what happened. Ask them to take pictures of my injuries.

Make a Police Report

Even if I don't want the abuser arrested, the report will become evidence of past abuse that might prove helpful to me in the future. The abuser will not be notified that you made the report. (Under certain circumstances, i.e.: obvious physical injuries to you, the police may be required by law to arrest the abuser.) Make the report as soon as possible after the abuse.

Save Evidence

In case I decide to take legal action now or later. Evidence includes medical records and police reports, dated photos of my injuries or the house in disarray, torn clothing, and weapons used and statements from anyone who saw the attack.

Order of Protection

I can go to court to get an Order of Protection from domestic abuse. I can call Turning Point to learn more about this option and to get help with court action.

Get Support

Seek out people who want to help. Call Turning Point or the McHenry County Crisis Line to receive the support. Plan to attend a victim's support group or talk to a domestic violence counselor to learn more about myself and the relationship.

Personalized Safety Plan

Turning Point Safety Plan PDF - Create your own safety plan by downloading the pdf and keeping it handy.

For Your Safety

Erase internet Footprints - prevent abusers finding where you visit online.

Escape Site for a quick exit to google.com

1-800-892-8900 24 Hour McHenry County Crisis Line
1-800-799-SAFE National Crisis Hotline