Things You'll Need:
- courage
- strength
- support
- knowledge
-
Step 1
*KNOW YOUR RESOURCES* If you don't know where to get help chances are you won't receive it or know how to give it. Knowledge is power, so educate yourself. I have listed a some resources below for battered women & children, elder abuse and sexual assault victims.
There are organizations that offer emergency services to those that are seeking to escape a violent environment. Some of those emergency services are:
1. Emergency Transportation
2. Emergency Safe housing
3. Emergency Food
4. Emergency Clothing
5. Help filing restraining orders
6. Help seeking legal action
7. Victim Witness Compensation
8. Help finding a domestic violence attorneys
If you or someone you know or love is in a dangerous environment or situation don't wait to get help, these services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are just a phone call away. -
Step 2
*TAKE ACTION* The moment you have a safe opportunity TAKE IT. Make that call, have someone make that call for you or make it for someone else.
You are not alone and there are people ready to help the moment you reach out.
*Search the internet*
Many organizations provide help based on area of residence. So search for domestic violence resources in your county or city.
*Look in the phone book*
Most if not all phone books have an emergency section, usually the page ends are in red. Or look under "D" for domestic violence. There you should be able to find local authorities (who can make a domestic violence arrest if need be), domestic violence shelters, domestic violence attorney's (domestic violence lawyer's)... something as basic as your local yellow pages is a wealth of potentially life saving resources and should be utilized at the first signs of any abuse.
*call 911* If you are in immediate danger call. If you see or know that someone is in immediate danger call 911.
*reach out to family & friends* If this option is available to you take it as the blessing it is, it may be hard to do but it could be life saving.
*contact your local police department* take all the necessary legal precautions available to you and contact the police ... domestic violence, abuse, assault, sexual abuse, battery, partner abuse, spousal abuse ... are all crimes. -
Step 3
*GET SUPPORT*
Abuse is traumatic and the healing process can be difficult but it's not something you have to tackle alone.
Seek help and support to help you begin to heal by reaching out to domestic violence support groups, friends, family, church, your health care provider, community organizations or government services.
Once you make the choice to not return to a violent environment seek support to help you stay strong or seek support to get the strength you need to make that decision.
Restore your self worth; and know that a single period in your life does not define you. Another person cannot define you. You can make your past just that, your past and you can make it different from your future.
Comments
the-visitors said
on 2/19/2010 I'd like to add that there are men who too can find themselves abused by women. The difference is often these people have no place to turn to. I myself was abused mentally, physically, and sexual abused by a women and found out first-hand how hard it is for you to get yourself and your children away from such a bad life. Getting the strength to look for help is one thing, but having your plea for help fall upon death ears and for the abuser to know this and know how to use it as a further weapon... I wish people knew that this does not just happen to women.
graywolfline said
on 9/23/2009 Can someone help me with a quastion....You want to escape from one contry to another....how do you do that???
ruf1950 said
on 4/25/2009 Great advice and well written. Women are often left feeling helpless in such situations, and need to know how to escape domestic violence. Thanks for a valuable public service. 5***** and a recommend.
JoyNmyHeart said
on 4/25/2009 Very important article on domestic violence.
kmphillips73 said
on 4/22/2009 These are great tips on how to escape or help someone escape domestic violence and abuse. Your article also raises awareness on a very touchy subject matter. Kudos to you on a well written, informative article!