Domestic Abuse: Changing Your Life

Abuse tends to get worse and occur more often over time. If you are being abused, plan ahead to get out for good. But don’t feel discouraged if it takes more than one try. With courage and help from others, you can change your life.

If you are going home with your abuser, do not take

this with you. Doing so could put you at risk

Increase Your Safety Now

You don’t deserve to be abused. Prepare now to protect your health and safety:

• Contact Turning Point Domestic Violence Services for help making your plans: 1-800-221-6311

• Know how to get out of your home in a hurry. Find a back door or window that you can exit.

• Decide where to go in an emergency. Learn how to get there without a car. If you have children, make sure they know how to get there if you can’t be with them.

• If you trust a neighbor, set up an emergency signal, such as a crooked window blind. Ask the neighbor to call the police if they see this sign.

How to Start

Leaving an abuser can be dangerous. Often, the safest time to leave is soon after your abuser has made up with you. But you are the best judge of when to leave. Trust your instincts and get prepared so you can act quickly when the time is right.

• Pack an emergency “care package.” Include clothing, cash, a set of car and house keys, any daily medications, and important papers (such as birth certificates, social security numbers, banking information, insurance cards, phone numbers). Have a trusted friend keep these items for you.

• Locate a safe place to live. A friend’s house or a women’s shelter may offer refuge until you find a more permanent place. Turning Point has safe shelter for you and your children.

• Work with Turning Point for safe planning, legal advocacy, case mangement and other referrals.