Safety Planning

PLAN ahead after intimate partner violence

  • Put your wallet/purse and car keys in a place where you can grab them and leave quickly.

  • Share the incident with someone close to you. Ask them to call the police if they hear or see anything suspicious.

  • Teach your children how and when to dial 911.

  • Choose a safe place to escape to before you ever need it.

  • If a situation starts to escalate, avoid high-risk areas like bathrooms, kitchens, garage, rooms where weapons are stored or rooms without access to an outside door.

  • In a heated moment, try to calm the situation by giving your partner what he/she wants until you are out of danger.

PLAN to leave in the future

  • Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents and extra clothes and medicines with a friend or family member so you can leave quickly.

  • Open a bank or savings account in your name to increase your independence. Sign up for paperless statements.

  • Memorize the domestic violence hotline number. (775) 883-7654. Call at any hour if you need shelter from domestic violence.

  • Keep a cell phone with you at all times.

  • Clear your online search history on your computer regularly.  

  • Create an escape plan and rehearse this plan. If you have children, practice with your children.

  • Realize cell phones can track your location. Be proactive.

PLAN your escape with a protection order

Though many batterers will obey a protective order, there are no guarantees. When seeking a safe haven, be sure to notify the police and/or courts to enforce your protective order.

  • Keep your protection order with you at all times. Make multiple copies to keep in your car, your home, at your job and anywhere else you frequent.

  • Inform others of your protection order, including your employer, your friends, your minister, your babysitters and your children's school.

  • If your partner violates the protection order, CALL THE POLICE. You should also contact your attorney and/or the court to advise them of the violation.

  • Keep a log of times and dates as well as all phone messages and texts.

  • If your partner contacts your place of work, ask your employer to screen your calls.

  • Vary where and when you do regular activities like grocery shopping and banking from when you resided with your partner.

  • Contact our Court Advocates at 775-884-1886.

PLAN items to take when leaving

When you decide to leave your partner, be well prepared to leave quickly. The following is a list of items to take with you. We recommend leaving them in one location for a speedy, safe escape.

  • Your ID/driver’s license

  • Your children's birth certificates

  • Social Security cards, welfare ID

  • School & vaccination records

  • Money, checkbook

  • Credit cards, ATM cards

  • Keys: house/car/office

  • Car registration

  • Medications

  • Medical records for you & your children

  • Insurance papers

  • Work permits, green cards, passports

  • Marriage license, divorce papers

  • Address book

  • Children's favorite toys and/or blankets

  • Pictures

  • Jewelry

  • Device chargers

  • Items of special sentimental value