Leaving an Abusive Relationship (Part 1)

No one should feel unsafe. If you are in an unsafe, violent relationship, you might be thinking of leaving. You do not have to leave today or do it all at once, but a safety plan can help you know what to do when you are ready to leave. Having a plan in place can help you get out safely later if you do decide to leave.

What are some things to consider as I decide whether to leave?

Leaving an abusive relationship can seem overwhelming. Many people often leave several times before finally deciding to end the relationship. There are many complicated reasons why it is difficult to leave an abusive partner.

You may have doubts or fears or just feel overwhelmed at the thought of leaving. That's normal. Consider the following as you make your decision:

• Domestic violence often starts as emotional abuse and becomes physical later. It's important to ask for help as soon as possible.
• Your partner may try to make you think the violence is your fault. It's not. You cannot make someone hurt or mistreat you. Your partner is responsible for their own behavior. Violence and abuse are never the victim's fault.
• Abuse is not normal or OK. You may think that abuse is a sign that your partner loves you. It's not. Your partner may love you, but abuse is not a sign of that love. You may think that romantic love is passionate and that physical abuse is a sign of passion. It's not. A healthy relationship is one in which you feel safe and which has no physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse.
• Abuse can happen to anyone. Some people believe that abuse is not something that could happen to them. Abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of whether you have a college education; which neighborhood you live in; your age; your gender; your sexual orientation; or whether you're married, dating, or single.
• Your partner may be very good to you at times. Most abusers have a pattern of abuse followed by making it up to you or making you feel special and loved. It's most likely that the abuse will happen again. Abuse usually gets worse over time, not better.
• You cannot help or fix an abusive partner. It's not your responsibility to convince a violent or abusive partner to get help. Your responsibility is to your own safety and the safety of any children in the household. Some abusive partners say they will get help as a way to "make it up to you" after violence. However, getting help does not always mean the violence will stop.
• Intimate partner violence is linked to serious physical and emotional problems. The longer it continues, the more damage it can cause.

Also, if you have children, consider their safety. Consider whether you are willing to allow your partner to visit them if you decide to leave the relationship. Many abusers get even more violent after their victims leave. That's why a safety plan, agreed on with others in your life, can help keep you safe after you leave.

Who can I talk to about leaving an abusive relationship?

Many people can help you think about your options to leave an abusive relationship safely. It might be unsafe if an abusive partner finds out you're thinking about leaving. Try to talk only to people who will not tell the abuser about your plans:

• Your doctor or nurse—Most people visit the doctor at least once a year for a checkup, so try to visit the doctor or nurse without your partner. If your partner insists on going with you, try these ideas:
  • Write a note to the office staff saying that you want to see the doctor or nurse alone.
  • Tell your partner that you need privacy to speak about a sensitive health issue that you're too embarrassed to talk about.
  • Tell your partner, where others can hear you, that the doctor's policy is patients only in the exam room.
• A teacher, counselor, or principal at your child's school—An adult at your child's school can help connect you to shelters and other safe places in your community. Teachers and others at your child's school want to help the families of the children they teach.
• Human resources—If you work outside the home, the human resources (HR) department at your workplace may be able to connect you to the employee assistance program (EAP) or other resources in your community.
• Family or friends—Family or friends who knew you before you met an abusive partner might be able to help you. If more than one family member or friend can help you, it might be good for a few people to work together to help.
• A free 800 telephone hotline—You can talk to trained advocates at the National Domestic Violence Hotline (Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.thehotline.org), the National Sexual Assault Hotline (Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.rainn.org), or Love Is Respect (Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.loveisrespect.org) for free 24 hours a day, seven days a week without giving your name or address. The counselors can help you talk through the steps of leaving an abusive relationship. You can call a hotline as many times as you need to.

How can I plan to leave and keep myself safe?

Even if you don't leave right away, creating a safety plan can help you know what to do if your partner abuses you again. It can help you be more independent when you leave. Your safety plan will help you be prepared:

• Identify safe friends and safe places to go. Create a code word to use with friends, family, or neighbors to let them know you are in danger without the abuser finding out. If possible, agree on a secret location where they can pick you up.
• Keep an alternate cell phone nearby. Try not to call for help on your home phone or on a shared cell phone. Your partner might be able to trace the numbers. If you don't have a cell phone, you can get a prepaid cellphone. Some domestic violence shelters offer free cellphones.
• Memorize the phone numbers of friends, family, or shelters. If your partner takes your phone, you will still be able to contact loved ones or shelters for a safe place to stay.
• Make a list of things to take if you have to leave quickly. Important identity documents and money are probably the top priority. (See the following section below for a detailed list of items to pack.) Get these items together, and keep them in a safe place where your partner will not find them. If you are in immediate danger, leave without them.
• If you can, hide an extra set of car keys so you can leave if your partner takes away your usual keys.
• Ask your doctor how to get extra medicine or glasses, hearing aids, or other medically necessary items for you or your children.
• Contact your local family court (or domestic violence court, if your state has one) for information about getting a restraining order. If you need legal help but don't have much money, your local domestic violence agency may be able to help you find a lawyer who will work for free or on a sliding scale based on what you can pay.
• Protect your online security as you collect information and prepare. Use a computer at a public library to download information, or use a friend's computer or cell phone. Your partner might be able to track your planning otherwise.
• Try to take with you any evidence of abuse or violence if you leave your partner. This might include threatening notes from your partner. It might be copies of police and medical reports. It might include pictures of your injuries or damage to your property.
• Keep copies of all paper and electronic documents on an external thumb drive.

Advocates at the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233), can help you develop your safety plan (Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.thehotline.org/plan-for-safety/create-a-safety-plan). Every person deserves to be safe.

What do I need to include in my safety packing list?

When you leave an abuser, the most important thing is your life and safety as well as your children's. If you are able to plan ahead, it will help you to have important information with you, in addition to money, clothing, medicine, and other basic items.

Even if you are not sure you want to or are ready to leave, go ahead and make copies of as many of the following documents as you can, or secure them in a safe place outside of the home:

• Birth certificates, Social Security cards, and passports or immigration papers for you and your children
• Health insurance cards for you and your children
• Financial records, including recent bank statements and stocks or mutual fund records
• Housing documents, such as rental agreements, mortgage statements, or the title or deed
• Your most recent credit report (you can request one for free)
• The title or lease paperwork for your car
• Statements for any retirement plans
• The past two years' tax returns
• A written copy of phone numbers or important addresses in case you cannot get to your cell phone or address book

Many of these records are available online, so try to keep access to these accounts if you do not have paper copies.

You may also want to take photos of any valuable assets in the home (anything you think may be worth some money). Also, if you have any family heirlooms (such as jewelry), take them with you or put them in a safe place before you leave. You can get a safe deposit box at the bank to store copies of the paperwork listed, as well as small valuable items. If you have a joint checking account, consider opening your own checking account and storing money there. Any adult has the right to open their own bank account, even if they are married or dependent on another person.