Domestic Violence can include

• Physical Assault
• Sexual Assault
• Intimidation
• Isolation
• Verbal abuse or harassment, including disrespectful or demeaning comments
• Threats against you or another family member
• Creating disturbances at your place of work
• Economic Control
• Harassing telephone calls
• Spying on you
• Child abuse
• Destruction of property or pets

Protect yourself

• Learn where to get help; memorize emergency phone numbers
• Keep a phone in a room you can lock from the inside;
• Get an inexpensive cellular phone that you keep with you at all times
• If the abuser has moved out, change the locks on your doors
• Plan an escape route out of your home and teach it to your children
• Think about where you would go if you need to escape
• Ask your neighbors to call the police if they see the abuser at your house;
• Make a signal for them to call the police, for example, if the phone rings twice
• Pack a bag with important things you’d need if you had to leave quickly
• Tell your neighbors, friends, family and co-workers

How to protect your children

• Teach them not to get in the middle of a fight, even if they want to help
• Teach them how to call 911, to give your address and phone number to the police
• Teach them who to call for help
• Give the principal at school or the daycare center a copy of your court order
• Instruct your children’s caregiver to release your children only to you
• Use a password so they can be sure it is you on the phone
• Give your childrent’s teacher or caregiver a photo of the abuser
• Make sure the children know who to tell at school if they see the abuser
• Make sure that the school knows not to give your contact information to ANYONE