How to Get Help if You're Being Abused

The following information is based on materials from the Santa Barbara Domestic Hotline, the Shelter Services for Women, and the Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Address Books
• Yellow Pages
• Telephones
• Airline Tickets
• Bus Tickets
• Train Tickets
• Folders

Make a Safety Plan

1. Save money each week.

2. Keep money aside (and hidden) for an emergency.

3. Keep important documents handy and easily accessible: birth certificates, social security cards, green cards and health records.

4. Plan an escape route from your house or apartment.

5. Arrange with neighbors to call police if they hear yelling or get a signal from you.

6. Arrange for a safe place to stay overnight or longer in case of emergency: with a friend, family member, co-worker, or in a shelter.

Get Help

7. Call 911 for immediate help. Tell the operator it's an emergency.

8. Give your address clearly.

9. Call a domestic abuse hotline.

10. File charges against the abuser.

11. Get a restraining order or a protection order to keep the abuser away from you.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact domestic abuse hotlines for support and help.
• Never blame yourself nor feel ashamed for being a victim of abuse.
• Avoid relationships with known abusers.

[ecm1980]

on 5/5/2009 Great advice. Hopfully some people in need will take the advice.

[fubbill]

on 5/5/2009 http://www.wcpo.com/content/news/fresh/story/3-Officers-Injured-While-Running-Down-Suspect/YeLwSjtYok2lV3aAarf5Hg.cspx?p=Comments

[STUFFellaneous]

on 3/11/2009 Good tips. I really hope that someone in an abusive relationship will use them

[gstarlett]

on 2/28/2009 how do you get out of a relationship when you have a child together? its really hard because i cant find ANYONE like him, not that he is so special but i tried dating other people and i would always go back to him. its going on three years, my child is one. He is in DCF care for the abuse that goes on between me and the father. i am afraid of being alone. hes got me hooked and i dont know what the hell to do. ive tried everything.

[sharnme21]

on 1/20/2009 Im going threw alot right now im 21 years old i've been on my own since i was 17 ive been with this dude for almost 2 years he like to hit me i work i take care of the house bills everything he can't work he has no socail but i can't take no more but he want leave me alone if i call the police he will get out than come back im scared for my life i wish he would die i did a lot for him i took care of his grandma before she pass i've been there threw it all he's ungrateful, selfish, mean and he makes me sick every time i see him but i have to play it cool or i know he will choke me again and this time don't let me go im scared i have no one to turn too! what to do?