TheLoop21.com

A personal safety plan is important when facing domestic violence

Having a personal safety plan will help when you are in a time of crisis.

Read more of TheLoop21.com's Red, Black and Green series on domestic violence.

If you're struggling with domestic violence, having a personal safety plan could save your life.

The YWCA has published a detailed personal safety plan (click on "get the facts" and then "tips"). We've included part of it here.

A list of items you should take when leaving:

• Identification for yourself
• Children’s birth certificates or passports
• Your birth certificate or passport
• Social Security cards
• School vaccination records
• Money, checkbook, bank books, ATM cards, tax returns
• Credit cards
• Medication
• Keys – house, car, office
• Driver’s license/car registration
• Insurance papers
• Public Assistance identification/Medicaid cards
• Passports, green cards, work permits
• Divorce or separation papers
• Lease, rental agreement or house deed
• Car/mortgage payment book
• Children’s toys, security blankets, stuffed animals
• Sentimental items, photos
• Your personalized safety plan

Learn more about ending domestic violence at the YWCA's Week Without Violence Web site.

What would you do if you witnessed a domestic violence incident?

Personally intervene

Call the police

Not get involved

Most Active Discussion on this Topic

What should happen to Caster Semenya?

by - Fri, 09/11/2009 - 10:45

• Toyota Says Prius Owner's Courtroom Account Is Inaccurate

  Mon, 03/15/2010 - 16:03

  According to The Wall Street Journal, Toyota is disputing a Prius owner's courtroom account of how is car spun out of control stating that he holds "significant inaccuracies" in his story. The automaker says details in the driver's account don't match up with the preliminary investigation by Toyota of his vehi ...

  Read More
• U.S. Considering New Car Manufactoring Guidelines

  Thu, 03/11/2010 - 17:50

  According to The Wall Street Journal, the Obama administration is considering implementing new rules in the auto industry requiring improved brake technology and crash report methods for vehicles. The head of U.S. highway-safety regulations defended his departments efforts in responding to the recent mayhem involving Toyota Motor Corp. ...

  Read More
• Food Maker Expands Recall On Possible Salmonella Carrying Products

  Thu, 03/11/2010 - 15:55

  According to The Associated Press, popular spice manufacturer McCormick has announced that it will expand its current recall on products that have a possibility of spreading salmonella. No illnesses have been reported due to the McCormick products, as french onion dip mix, gravy mix, corn bread stuffing, and vegetable dip are on t ...

  Read More
• AccuWeather Describes Hurricane Season As 'Above Normal' Threat

  Wed, 03/10/2010 - 18:09

  According to BusinessWeek, weather service AccuWeather Inc. says the 2010 hurricane season will be an "above-normal threat to Gulf and East coasts in the U.S. The forecaster predicts about five hurricanes and two to three of them reaching shore. The service also foresees about 17 named storms forming in the ...

  Read More