What you can do if you are scared or concerned
If it's an emergency, call 911 for assistance.
If it isn't an emergency right now, start planning. You can
protect your safety by:
-
Making a plan in case you have to leave quickly.
-
Putting together an "emergency kit" (link to info at bottom
of page) of things you would really need if you had to leave
suddenly.
-
Establishing contacts with friends and family so you have a
place to go in an emergency.
-
Considering obtaining a restraining order to protect
yourself.
You have the right to file a police report if you have been
physically abused. Call your local police department to have a
police officer sent out to you or go into any police station
to file a report.
No matter what the level of abuse or what decisions you make,
you can always access the help of community-based agencies set
up to serve the LGBTIQ community. Contact your local domestic
violence shelter
or program to find the closest LGBTIQ specific agency in your
area.
Remember that you didn't cause your abuse.
Everyone deserves to be treated with respect. Don't let your
partner control or mistreat you. Help is available.
Sample emergency kit:
-
Money - store some cash in a secret place where you can
easily get to it. Be sure to include some coins for phone
calls.
-
Keys - an extra set of keys should be kept in a safe place
(at a friend's or neighbor's) in case you need to leave
quickly.
-
Important papers for you and your children - birth
certificates, passports, health insurance documents, photo
ID/driver's license, immunization records, checkbook,
medication, food stamps, social security cards, etc. (or
copies of them) should be kept in a safe place.
-
Basic items - keep a small bag with your medicines,
hormones, copies of your legal papers, an extra pair of
glasses, a set of clothes, items that are important for your
gender presentation, etc.
-
Valuables - items of monetary and sentimental value.
For more information:
Top of Page
|
Q & A
Myths about domestic
violence
Difference between
same-sex and
opposite sex violence
Questions to ask
yourself about your
relationship
What you can do if you are scared or concerned
Related Pages
Safety & Hate Crimes
|
