1. List names and numbers of friends, relatives, battered women's shelter, hospital, churches, etc., where you can go to help.
2. Find a safe place to hide the number to the battered women's shelter like: at a neighbors, in freezer, plant, tampon box, etc.
3. Post number for battered women's shelter under a fictitious name (first name only) so abuser doesn't know you have it.
4. Keep the police/sheriff's numbers posted close to the phone.
5. Memorize all important numbers.

Number one rule: keep all keys out of sight of the abuser.

1. Get a lock for the hood and gas cap.
2. If your hood can only be opened from the inside of the car, keep the doors locked at all times. Try to be sure that the abuser does not have a set of keys to the car.
3. Try to get your keys before the abuser does--always keep your set of keys hidden from him.
4. Keep you car parked in places where he would not look for it.
5. If you need eyeglasses to drive, have an extra pair in the car in case the abuser takes/destroys the pair you wear.

1. Get locks on doors and windows. Double keyed deadbolts for doors.
2. If he had a set of keys, change locks.
3. Reinforce/repair windows and doors.
4. Obtain alarm or dog.
5. Move to another residence.
6. Get peephole installed.
7. Keep doors and windows locked at all times.
8. Keep keys out of sight of abuser.
9. Never let abuser into your residence.
10. Install outdoor lights.

1. Give friends, neighbors and/or relatives permission to call the police.
2. Set up signals with these people such as:
3. flicking on and off the lights
4. set up a password or sentence for phone calls and visitors. (To let you know it's someone you know at the door, or to let someone else know things aren't normal)
5. a curtain in a certain window is open or shut
6. a plant that usually hangs in a certain window isn't anymore
7. SCREAM!! (scream "fire")
8. knocking on the wall
9. Don't give information to untrustworthy people or people that like and trust him.
10. Get the OK from friends, neighbors, etc., to come to them in the middle of the night.
11. Teach your children how to call the police; if possible, develop a signal to alert them to call the police.

1. Get one if you don't have one
2. Change number and make it unpublished
3. Refuse to argue with abuser on the telephone
4. It is legal to tape your own conversations on the phone; you can tape calls from the abuser to document his abuse in case of legal action
5. Keep all important/emergency numbers near the phone
6. Hide a phone in your home to prevent abuser from disconnecting it

1. Open a personal account separate from the abuser
2. Get some money for emergencies.
3. When purchasing groceries or other items, write the check for over the amount and put this money in your personal account
4. Borrow money from relatives, friends, banks, and hide it or put it in your bank account
5. Hide money where it is easily accessible to you, such as inside or outside of your home or with a friend
6. Put rings or other valuables in a safety deposit box at the bank. Hide the key so the abuser doesn't come across it and question what it is for.
7. Sell rings, silver, antiques, other items of value so you have cash
8. Get travelers checks and keep them hidden

1. Keep personal items prepared in case you must leave in a hurry: clothing, medication, baby needs, car seat, cash, personal hygiene products, valuables, addresses and phone numbers, glasses, important papers, drivers license, paycheck stubs, etc.
2. Keep items at friends, neighbors or relatives.
3. Hide items somewhere like: under spare tire, wrapped in freezer paper in freezer, in an out-building at your home, or rent a locker at the YMCA, airport, train station, etc.

1. Keep important papers and documents prepared in case you must leave in a hurry. These could include: birth certificate, marriage license, divorce decree, social security cards, insurance policies, bank papers, stock accounts, bank mortgages, car title, paycheck stubs, drivers license, etc.
2. Where possible, keep important papers in safety deposit box at bank
3. Always have easy access to originals or copies
4. Hide papers with friends or relatives
5. Wrap and hide in freezer, plants, etc.
6. Always carry your restraining order with you

1. Even small children are affected by the violence; explain it to them
2. Inform babysitter, schools, medical facilities, the parents of your child's friends, etc., that the child should not leave with the abuser
3. Develop a safety plan with children to use when they are scared or when you give them the signal. Decide where to hide, when to leave, and how to call the police.

1. Hide or throw away all ammunition
2. Hide weapons or lock them away in the trunk of car to which abuser doesn't have key
3. Put knives in inaccessible places
4. If law enforcement is called, ask them to take away the weapons

1. Be aware of your surroundings
2. Know good places in your house to hide - preferably close to windows or doors for easy escape, if necessary
3. Make an escape plan from each room. If necessary, hide rope ladders in upper-story rooms.
4. Make a "safe" room in your house which has a lock on the door, a phone, and from which you can escape the house if you need to
5. Do not lock yourself into a small space such as a car (windows can be broken) or into a room with only one exit
6. Be aware of your physical capabilities--can you outrun the abuser?
7. Hide underneath a car, in a ravine, shed, etc.
8. Lock yourself in a stranger's car, rather than your own, if you don't have the keys to your car to drive away
9. Don't count on a stranger's help
10. Know in advance where you will go if you need to leave your house

How to protect yourself when being attacked:

1. Be aware of the abuser's cues (physical behaviors, circumstances) before an assault. Try to leave before the assault
2. Know ahead of time what you are capable of doing, such as gauging eyes, kick to knee or crotch, run, etc.
3. Never pick up a weapon unless you are sure you will use it. (The danger is that when you become afraid to use it, the abuser might take it and use it against you)
4. Black pepper, salt, chili powder, hairspray in the eyes of the attacker can be effective
5. If all else fails, roll up in a ball and protect your head
6. Find a self-defense class in your area. Check it out. If it feels safe and fulfills your needs, take it.

   Reprinted with permission. Beverly Bickford, Domestic Violence Program, Dane County District Attorney's Office, 1992. Adapted from CADA House "Protection Plan Options".