How to Leave an Abusive Husband

Women in abusive marriages often have husbands who isolate them from their friends, tell them they are worthless, destroy property, keep unreasonable control over finances, threaten violence or physically injure them. Many women feel there is no hope for escape, but it is possible to leave.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Cash
• Important documents
• Clothing and necessities
• Place to go

1. Document the abusive behavior as it happens. This can help later if you decide to press charges or file for a restraining order. Keep the documentation in a place where your husband can't find it, such as at a trusted friend's house or in a password protected file on the computer. You can also email comments to yourself or save emails of incidents that you send to a friend. Make sure you log out each time.
2. Be ready to leave at a moment's notice. Have all your important papers packed and ready to go, as well as, any clothing and toiletries you will need.
3. Save enough cash to get you where you need to go. Keep this money and the other items safely hidden or at a friend's house.
4. Become financially independent before you leave, if at all possible. It is good to have a bank account in your name only, as well as credit cards. Make sure the statements won't be discovered by your husband.
5. Have an escape route planned. Know which way you will leave the house and where you will go. Make arrangements with a family member or a friend. You can also get a list of battered women's shelters by calling the National Domestic Violence Association Hotline at (800) 799-SAFE (7233).
6. Do what you can to stay safe until you are able to leave.