Help Yourself - When your abuser has been removed from your home

Once an abuser is out of your home, take these extra steps to protect yourself from possible future interaction.

• Change the locks on your doors and windows as soon as possible!

• Replace wooden doors with steel doors.

• Install security systems if possible. Purchase additional locks, window bars, poles to wedge against doors.

• If you have a second floor, make sure you have an escape route in case you are trapped upstairs i.e. rope, ladder etc.

• Install smoke detectors and keep fire extinguishers on every floor, you never know what your abuser might do to flush you out.

• Install extra outside lighting, to include motion-activated lighting.

• Teach your children their name, address, phone number, the phone number of a friend/relative and how to dial 911 in case they are kidnapped by your abuser.

• Make sure EVERYONE who watches your children is informed of who may and may not pick up your children.

• Inform your baby-sitters of your situation, they have the right to know so they will be better prepared to protect all the children in their care.