Does the person you love…

• Threaten to hurt or kill you or your children?
• Put you down in public or keep you from contacting family or friends?
• Control where you go, who you talk to, and how you spend money?
• Throw, push, hit, choke, kick, or slap you?
• Say it’s your fault, promise it won’t happen again—but then it does?
• Force you to have sex when you don’t want to?​

If any of this is happening to you, you are being abused.

Plan Your Safety – Be Prepared…
Below are a list of precautionary steps to take if you are being abused:

• Know where you can get help.
  • Keep a list of important phone numbers (police, domestic violence hotline, hospital) with you.
• Plan with your children.
  • Identify a safe place for them (room with a lock, neighbor’s house, etc.)
  • Let them know that their job is to stay safe, not to protect you.
• Arrange a signal with a neighbor for when you need help.
  • Example: if the porch light is on—there is trouble and you need help.
• Prepare an emergency kit that you can get quickly.
  • You may want to keep it at a trusted friend’s/neighbor’s house.
  • Include:
    • Extra set of car and house keys
    • Money, food stamps, checkbook, credit card(s), pay stubs
    • Birth certificates and other ID for you and your children
    • Your driver’s license or other photo identification
    • Social security card or green card/work permit
    • Health insurance cards, medications for you and your children
    • Deed or lease to your house or apartment
    • Any court papers or orders
    • Change of clothes for you and your children
• Plan the safest time to get away.
  • Know which door, windows, etc.
• Provide escape.
  • Practice with your children for an emergency.

If you have experienced any physical abuse or assault:

• Get medical help and tell what happened.
  • Ask them to document it.
• Have the doctor, nurse, or a friend take pictures of your injuries/bruises.
  • Same with any ripped or bloody clothes.
• Talk to someone about what you can do next.
  • Tell a friend what is happening.
  • Keep important phone numbers easily accessible; friends, relatives, and Roads to Peace’s hotline.
  • Call Roads to Peace to find out more about our services, shelter, and other resources available to help.