20 Survival Tips For Victims of Domestic Violence

Obviously, there is no guarantee of your safety if you are being subjected to domestic violence or choose to remain in an abusive relationship. However, even if you do not feel that you are able to leave the abuser, there are steps you should take right now to protect yourself and help keep your children safe. I would like to pass on the following survival tips to better insure your safety and your family's well-being if you are in an abusive relationship.
SURVIVAL WHEN YOU ARE BEING ATTACKED IN THE HOME:
o Avoid any confrontation in the kitchen or in bathrooms; the kitchen provides easy access to weapons, such as knives and heavy blunt objects and bathrooms often have closets and other small spaces where the abuser can trap you.
o Go to a room in the house with a door or window and try to escape; lock the abuser outside if you can. A room with a telephone for calling the police is also a good choice.
o Call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately for help; teach your children to dial 9-1-1.
o When a police officer comes, REPORT the attack.
o Seek medical attention if you have been injured.
o Take photographs of any injuries.
o Contact a local domestic violence program or shelter; they can also assist you in making a survival plan.
PROTECTING YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY AT HOME:
o Emergency and hotline numbers should always be handy and programmed into your cell phone and home telephone.
o Keep an extra set of house and car keys handy and hidden in a safe place that is easily and quickly accessible.
o Store money, identification, medications and credit cards in a place that you can also access quickly.
o Plan an escape route and develop a procedure to contact police and find a trustworthy friend or neighbor who can provide you a temporary hiding place.
o Hide or destroy anything that might give a clue as to where you are going.
o NEVER LEAVE A NOTE TO THE ABUSER.
o Pack a bag and keep it in a safe place or with a family member.
KEEPING YOUR KIDS SAFE IN A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATION:
o Advise your children to never get involved in the argument or to put themselves in the middle of a fight between you and the abuser.
o Show them how to get to escape to safety, call 911 and give emergency hotline operators your address and telephone number so that law enforcement may respond in a timely and accurate manner.
o Advise them who else to call for help after calling the police.
o If you have a court order, provide their principal at school or their daycare provider a copy; they should be instructed never to release your children to anyone without talking to you on the phone; provide them with a photo of the abuser.
YOU HAVE RIGHTS! USE THE LAW:
o Your local domestic violence program will assist you in obtaining a civil protection order, finding an attorney and provide guidance regarding criminal prosecution of the abuser.
o In most states, you will find that a judge can order the abuser to stay away from you or your children; have the abuser banned from your residence, award you temporary custody of your children and order temporary child support.
Without question you must leave the abusive relationship. Do not expect family or friends to come to your rescue; you alone must take responsibility for your own safety and the well-being of your children. Many victims of domestic violence often fall prey to a "serial victim's mindset" and rationalize why they are being abused and will be abused in the future. Let go of the abuser's promises that he or she will change and his or her pleas of forgiveness for prior violent incidents; those who are predisposed to assault loved ones bear sole responsibility for their actions and it is not your responsibility to rehabilitate them. Trying to "bring an abuser around" has gotten many hundreds of thousands of people killed.
You do not have to be a victim. You do not have to become a statistic.

Article Source: http://casinoarticles.us

Link : Leslie Mitchell has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in Domestic Violence, you can also check out his latest website about: Laser Acne Removal Which reviews and lists the best Laser Acne Treatment

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