SAFETY PLAN: TIPS FOR SAFETY AND CONFIDENCE
  1. STAND UP FOR YOURSELF. IF THE ABUSE IS JUST STARTING, TELL THE ABUSER THAT HIS/HER BEHAVIOR IS NOT ACCEPTABLE THAT YOU
    WILL NOT TOLERATE IT. TALK TO SOMEONE YOU TRUST ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH.
  2. BE CAREFUL. IF THE ABUSE IS ONGOING AND THE ABUSER IS ALWAYS GETTING HIS/HER WAY, YOU MAY RISK MORE ABUSE IF YOU
    STAND UP FOR YOURSELF. IF YOU'RE AFRAID THIS MIGHT HAPPEN, TRY TO HELP FROM AN ADULT OR FRIEND BEFORE YOU STAND UP
    FOR YOURSELF. DON'T TRY IT WHEN YOU ARE BY YOURSELF WITH THE ABUSER, AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE THE STEP OF LEAVING IN
    ORDER TO ESCAPE THE ABUSER.
  3. REMEMBER THAT THE ABUSE IS NOT YOUR FAULT!!! DON'T BE ASHAMED TO TELL SOMEONE ABOUT THE  ABUSE. IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT ,
    IT'S THE ABUSER'S PROBLEM. ENCOURAGE HIM/HER TO GET HELP.
  4. HURTING YOURSELF WON'T HELP THE SITUATION. IT'S HUMAN TO FEEL DOWN WHEN YOU'RE BEING ABUSE. SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE
    BEING ABUSED FEEL LIKE SUICIDE IS THE ANSWER. IF YOU FEEL THIS WAY,IT BE BECAUSE YOU FEEL THAT THE ABUSER IS RIGHT ABOUT
    YOU WITH HIS/HER NEGATIVE REMARKS. USE THAT NEGATIVE ENERGY TO TAKE OF YOURSELF. THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS AND STEPS
    YOU CAN TAKE TO MAKE THINGS EASIER FOR YOURSELF. COMPLIMENT YOURSELF FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO WELL AND HAVE FAITH. IF
    YOU ARE STILL FEELING SUICIDAL, IT MAY HELP TO TALK ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS BY CALLING THE 24 HOUR HOPE LINE AT 1-800-SUICIDE
    (784-2433).
  5. MAKE SOMEONE AWARE OF THE ABUSE. TALKING TO SOMEONE ABOUT THE ABUSE CAN BE VERY HELPFUL. TAKING ADVICE FROM A
    FRIEND OR A CARING ADULT CAN ALSO BE HELPFUL.
  6. BE CAUTIOUS WITH ALCOHOL AND DRUGS. SOME PEOPLE USE ALCOHOL AND DRUGS TO DEAL WITH STRESS OR PAIN. UNFORTUNATELY,
    IT KEEPS YOU DRAINED, HELPLESS AND WILL AFFECT YOUR DECISION MAKING PROCESS. TRY TO DRINK IMMODERATION OR AVOID
    SUBSTANCES ALTOGETHER.
  7. RELAX AND PLAY. RELIEVING STRESS CAN HELP IMPROVE YOUR ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE AND MAKE DECISIONS. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
    AND EXERCISE WILL INCREASE YOUR WELL-BEING. TRY TO INCLUDE FRIEND'S AND FAMILY AND YOUR ACTIVITIES.
  8. TRY TO DIET PROPERLY. THE WAY YOU TAKE OF YOUR BODY AFFECTS THE WAY YOU FEEL AS WELL AS YOUR WAY OF COPING WITH
    STRESS.
  9. BALANCE YOUR FINANCES WISELY AND IMPROVE YOUR EMPLOYMENT SKILLS. HAVING MONEY STORED FOR EMERGENCY CAN MAKE
    YOU FEEL MORE SECURE. EMPLOYMENT SKILLS, WILL MAKE YOU INDEPENDENT. IF YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH EMPLOYMENT,
    VOLUNTEER TO GAIN EXPOSURE TO PEOPLE AND IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS.
  10. KNOW YOUR LOCAL RESOURCES. LEARN ABOUT YOUR LOCAL INFORMATION LINES (411,911,ETC) IF IT IS A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
    SITUATION, CONTACT THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOT LINE 24 HOURS, 1-800-799-SAFE(7233), 1-800-787-3224(TTY).
  11. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. YOU ARE A STRONG, AND YOU KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SUCCEED. WHEN YOU ARE READY TO STOP THE
    VIOLENT CYCLE YOU ARE IN, KNOW THAT HELP IS THERE!!
CHECKLIST-WHAT YOU NEED TO TAKE WHEN YOU LEAVE:


  • IDENTIFICATION
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  • YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE
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  • GREEN CARDS
  • PASSPORTS
  • PERSONAL TREASURES
  • MISC. ITEMS




D         O          M         E         S         T         I        C

                     Very
                      Important
                  peOple
                        Leaving
                         Earth
                     unNecessarily
                      beCause of
                     violEnt abuse at home

I
N

H
O
    N
        O
             R

                    OF

                              THE

                                        FALLEN

                                                        ONES
                   FOUNDATION

           ESTABLISHED IN 2004

                  IN MEMORY OF    
               GUSSIE WORTHAM
                       1950-1981