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.

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