Domestic violence is unfortunately very prevalent in today’s society; if you are a
victim it is important for you to know that you are not alone. Know that
there are people around who want to help you face this. Here are tips
to consider when in a domestic violence situation taken from the
American Bar Association, please read for further information. If you are at home and feel that
your life is being threatened in some way the first thing to do, if it
is safe, is dial 911! Try to avoid dangerous zones within the home such
as the kitchen where knives are readily available. Avoid those places
where you can be easily trapped or locked away like a bathroom or closet.
If you are able get to a room that has doors and windows do so, it may
make for an opportunity to escape. It is smart to keep phones in various
rooms throughout the house, so that if you are locked inside you are able
to dial 911, and always keep your cell phone on you. If you have children
in the home, and plan on making an escape, inform your children and make
sure they understand it thoroughly. Have an emergency escape bag that
is equipped with cash, an unlisted cell phone number, and a backup set
of car keys. If you are running it is wise to have all of your legal documents
with you such as driver’s license, passports, medical records, and
the like.
Having children in these situations is a scary, so it is crucial that you
teach them simple tips on how to stay safe. One of the biggest things
is that they understand when parents are fighting or one is getting abusive
not to try and intervene, teach them to get to a safe place and dial 911
if they think it is dangerous. Make sure that the children know to stay
out of the kitchen and small enclosed areas, and give them addresses that
are close by to where they can run if they feel threatened. During your
daily travels it is helpful to change your regular routines if you feel
like you may be threatened outside the home.
See if there are trusted friends or family members who can give you rides,
and avoid being alone as much as possible. Please note that these are
general safety tips, each situation is different and calling 911 is the
most important thing to do when your feeling threatened. Domestic violence
is something that this country takes very seriously, and they desire for
the safety of their citizens. If you are dealing with domestic violence
of any sort
contact our family law office for help. We want to fight for the protection of you and your family,
and we want you to know that you are not alone.