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Domestic Violence Safety Plans

In the fall of 2024, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) mailed letters to parents who once had an open dependency and/or severance case.

Did you receive a letter? Visit the DCS letter page for more information.

Domestic Violence Safety Plan

For Local Shelter Call:
1-800-799-7739
National Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Safety at Home: When the abuser is there

  • Stay out of rooms with no exit
  • Avoid rooms that may have weapons
  • Select a code word that alerts friends and children to call police
  • Leave suitcase and checklist items with a friend

Safety at Home: When abuser has moved out

  • Obtain an order of protection
  • Change locks on doors and windows
  • Insert a peephole in the door
  • Change telephone number, screen calls, and block caller ID
  • Install/increase outside lighting
  • Consider getting a dog
  • Inform landlord or neighbor of situation and ask that police be called if abuser in seen around the house

Safety at Work: What to do

  • Tell your employer
  • Give security a photo of abuser and Order of Protection
  • Screen your calls
  • Have an escort to your car or bus
  • Vary your route home
  • Consider a cell phone for your car
  • Carry a noisemaker or personal alarm

Protecting: Your Children

  • Plan and rehearse an escape route with your children
  • If it is safe, teach them a code word to call 911, and how to use a public telephone
  • Let school personnel know to whom children can be released
  • Give school personnel a photo of abuser
  • Warn school personnel not to divulge your address and phone number

Getting an Order of Protection

  • Call 506-SELF (7353) to learn about an Order of Protection and Injunction Against Harassment
  • Call the police to get an immediate Order of Protection
  • Keep you order with you at ALL times, and give copies to family, friends, schools, employers, and babysitters

When preparing to leave what you need:

Identification

  • Drivers license
  • Children birth certificate
  • Your birth certificate
  • Social security card
  • Welfare identification
  • Medical insurance cards

Money

  • Money and/or credit cards
  • ATM card
  • Checkbook

Legal Documents

  • Lease, rental agreement, or deed to house/properties
  • Car registration and insurance papers
  • Health and life insurance papers
  • Medical records for you and your children
  • School and shot records
  • Work permits/green card or visa
  • Passport
  • Divorce papers
  • Custody papers

Other things

  • Key to house, car and safety deposit boxes
  • Medications for you and your children
  • Small objects to sell
  • Jewelry
  • Address book
  • Phone card
  • Pictures of you, children, and your abuser
  • Children’s small toys
  • Toiletries/diapers
  • Clothing

To Do

  • Open a savings account in your own name
  • Get your own post office box so that you can receive mail and checks
  • Plan who to stay with or who would be able to lend you money during the crisis
  • Contact the hotline or any shelter for help in safety planning and keep the hotline number with you at all times

In an Emergency- CALL 911 Immediately!!!


Online Resources

myPlan

myPlan - Español

Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence

MAG Safety Plan

Plan de Seguridad ante la Violencia Doméstica

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

AZPoint 

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