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24 Hour Helpline
0870 2700 123
If you are living with domestic violence you may feel that you need to leave in an emergency. This list may be useful, however please call us for confidential support and advice.
Collect and have available the telephone numbers you will need in an emergency.
Include local police domestic violence section, local refuge provider, local hospitals, District Council Housing Departments, GP, social worker, children’s school, your solicitor.
Include telephone numbers of friends or family you feel you could contact.
Keep these in a safe place where you can get hold of them quickly.
You could make a mental note of the most important telephone numbers if you feel writing them down will endanger you.
Teach your children to call 999 in an emergency, and what they would need to say.
For example their full name, address and telephone number.
Know where the nearest phone is, either a public telephone or a neighbor you have an arrangement with. If you have a mobile telephone, try to keep it with you at all times.
Try to find ways keep some money to one side for use in emergencies, such as transport fares.
If you have a car, keep a set of keys in a place where you can easily get hold of them.
Are there neighbors nearby you can trust? If so, think about letting them know about your situation, see if you could go to them in an emergency, and consider asking them to call the police if they hear sounds of a violent attack.
If you intend to take your children with you, for practical and legal reasons it is easier to do so when you first leave. If you leave your children behind you may find it difficult to get them back.
Rehearse an escape plan for you and your children to leave the house as safely as possible, and be prepared to leave in an emergency.
Keep an emergency clothes bag packed and ready to take.
Have legal and identification documents gathered together and if possible, ready with the emergency clothes bag.
What to take with you if you need to leave your home in an emergency (if possible and if you have them):
• Birth certificates for you and your children or other forms of identification
• Passports (including your children’s) visas and work permits
• Money, bank books, cheque book and credit and debit cards
• Keys for house, car and work (you could get a spare set cut and kept them in your emergency bag)
• Cards or books for payment of Child Benefit and other welfare benefits you use
• Driving licence and car registration documents
• Prescribed medication for you and your children
• Housing documents (mortgage or rental agreement)
• Insurance documents and National Insurance Number.
• Address book
• Family photographs, diary, jewelry, small items of sentimental value
• Clothing and toiletries for you and your children
• Your children’s favourite small toys
Copyright 2009 © Staffordshire Women's Aid
Registered Charity Number: 505728
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