• Decide where you will go if you have to leave your home.
• Practice how to get out of your home safely, with alternate routes.
• If you feel an incident is about to occur and you cannot leave, or choose to stay, try moving to a room with a phone. Avoid rooms that don’t have an exit, and rooms with items that could be used as weapons, such as kitchens and/or garages.
• Teach your children how to stay safe during an incident.
• Talk to one or more neighbors you can trust. Ask them to call 911 if they hear a disturbance.
• Have a code word or signal to use with your children, family, friends, neighbors and co-workers when you need help.
• Teach your children how to call 911 and provide them a cell phone, if possible. Free emergency cell phones are available at the WCA (345-6555) and Victim Assistance Unit (444-4597).
• Use your instincts and judgement. If the situation is dangerous, do whatever is necessary to stay safe. Call 911.
• Be safe when using cell phones and computers- they can be tracked. Use computers at a public location.
• Regardless of whether or not you choose to leave the relationship, a domestic violence advocate can support and assist you with safety planning.

It is always best to work with an advocate while creating these plans. You can contact someone at the WCA 24/7 at 402-345-7273.

• Update your safety plan.
• Leave important documents and personal belongings with a trusted friend or family member, or take them with you.
• Open a bank account/credit cards in your name only.
• Take your pets with you if possible and, if not, contact a local shelter to care for them – Nebraska Humane Society (444-7800).
• Remember that leaving your abuser is both difficult and dangerous. Reach out to people you can trust for support and help staying safe.

It is always best to work with an advocate while creating these plans. You can contact someone at the WCA 24/7 at 402-345-7273.

• Keep a copy of your protection order with you at all times. In addition, keep extra copies and a photo of your abuser in the following locations:
  • The glove box in your vehicle
  • With friends
  • With your employer or school
  • At your children’s school or daycare
• Inform others, such as your clergy person, doctor and neighbors, that you have a protection order, and if they see your abuser near you, to call the police.
• Call the police if your abuser violates the protection order.
• Keep evidence of protection order violations, such as email, voice-mails and notes. Provide them to the police and the county attorney.

It is always best to work with an advocate while creating these plans. You can contact someone at the WCA 24/7 at 402-345-7273.

• Update your safety plan.
• Change the access codes and locks to your home and mailbox, and consider installing a security system.
• Tell your friends, neighbors and landlord that your abuser no longer lives in your home. Ask them to call the police if they see your abuser near you or your home.
• Inform your children’s school and caregivers who is allowed to pick the children up and when.
• Change your routine – take different route to work, home, school and businesses when possible. Plan what you would do if you were followed.
• Have someone escort you to your car or bus, and wait until you are safely on your way.
• Protect your social security number. If necessary, consult with an attorney about changing it.
• Protect your voice-mail, email passwords and PIN numbers by changing them often.
• If you are involved in a court case, require that all contact be made through attorneys.
• If you must have contact with your abuser, take measures to make it feel as safe as possible- including public meetings, third party or law enforcement presence.

It is always best to work with an advocate while creating these plans. You can contact someone at the WCA 24/7 at 402-345-7273.

If you are planning on leaving your abuser, it may be a good idea to leave important documents and personal belongings with a trusted friend or family member. The following items should be kept in a safe place:

• Your safety plan
• Driver’s license, or other form of ID
• Birth certificates
• Social security cards
• Work permits/VISA
• Passports, money and/or credit cards
• Bank book, bank statements and/or checkbooks
• Public assistance documentation
• Tax returns for the last three years
• Pay stubs for you and your abuser
• Loan/mortgage information
• Protection order
• Lease/rental agreement and/or house deed
• Car title, registration and/or insurance papers
• Health and life insurance papers
• Medical and vaccination records
• Divorce/custody papers
• House and car keys
• Medication, glasses and/or hearing aids
• Address book
• Cell phone
• Family photographs
• Jewelry, and other items of sentimental value
• Children’s toys
• Clothes for you and children
• Pet items

It is always best to work with an advocate while creating these plans. You can contact someone at the WCA 24/7 at 402-345-7273.