Domestic Violence Safety Planning
There is never an excuse for abuse
With October being National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office is highlighting safety tips for leaving an abusive situation and resources available. If you are in a domestic violence situation, please know that no one, not even someone you live with or love, has the right to harm you physically, sexually or emotionally. There are steps you can take and resources available to help you leave an abusive situation safely and remain safe after.
Your safety is a priority. If you are preparing to leave an abusive situation, creating an organized and personalized safety plan can help reduce the risks of harm. The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers a comprehensive interactive guide for creating a safety plan at TheHotline.org. Start by identifying all exit points in your home or building and determining the best route for a safe exit. Pack a bag with essential items, such as identification, important documents and money, and keep it in a discreet yet accessible location. If you don’t feel safe leaving the bag at home, consider giving it to someone you trust.
Your support system, whether it’s friends, family, neighbors or coworkers, is another important part of establishing a safety plan. Confiding in people you trust can increase your safety throughout the process. Devise a code word with these people for when you need law enforcement assistance, and ask a trusted neighbor to call law enforcement if they hear a disturbance coming from your home. Save essential phone numbers, such as those for shelters or domestic helplines, on your phone. Also, ask your support system to store these numbers on their devices as well. PSO provides these phone numbers on our website at PascoSheriff.com/Domestic-Violence/.
After leaving an abusive situation, continue to keep life-saving phone numbers like the shelter and domestic helplines readily available. Change all digital passwords and be mindful of GPS technology that can track your movements through cell phones or vehicles. Discuss a safety plan with your children for times when you are not with them, and inform your children’s school about who has permission to pick them up.
To protect yourself at home, consider changing the locks and notifying your neighbors and landlord that your partner is no longer living with you. If they see your former partner near your home, they should call the police. Additionally, ensure your mailbox is visible from the street in case law enforcement needs to locate your home. You can make your mailbox stand out to first responders by painting it a bright color.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please remember that you are not alone. There are free and confidential resources available through phone, text and online chat. One such resource is The National Domestic Violence Hotline, which supports individuals facing domestic violence, as well as their friends and family. Once you connect with them, you can receive assistance with personalized safety planning, referrals to local resources, crisis intervention and more.
A local resource within Pasco County is Sunrise of Pasco County, Inc. They provide advocacy and support services, such as free counseling and temporary housing to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Pasco Sheriff’s Office’s Victim Advocates also offer a wide array of services for victims and ensure that a victim’s rights are upheld throughout the investigation and judicial process.
This October, join PSO to raise awareness about domestic violence. Share this information to help others who are struggling find safety and connect with essential resources.
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