When leaving an abusive situation, whether it be for a day or forever, it’s a good idea to be prepared to leave with essential items and paperwork you may need. If possible and safe, it can be helpful to pack a bag with essential items that you can store at a safe location (such as a loved one’s home, at work, at the gym, at school, or in your car). If you don’t have a safe place to store items it can be helpful to store important items in one location in your home so you can easily grab them if you need to leave in a hurry.
We understand that each situation is unique and it may be dangerous for some to pack and store important items in a safe location. We encourage you to trust yourself to know what is safe for your individual situation. A Call to Safety Advocate can help you talk over your unique situation and create a safety plan with you. Please call us anytime at 1.888.235.5333. Below is a list of items you may want to leave with.
Identification
- Driver License or Identification Card
- Birth Certificate
- Childrens’ Birth Certificates
- Passport(s)
- Social Security Card(s)
- Green Card(s)
- Visa Card
Financial
- Cash
- Credit cards (in your name) or credit card account number and customer service phone number
- Checking and/or savings account numbers
- Check book
- Safety deposit box keys
Legal Papers
- Restraining Order
- Lease, rental agreement and/or house deed
- Car registration, title and insurance papers
- Health insurance card(s)
- Life insurance papers
- Medical records for you and your children
- School records
- Work permits
- Divorce and custody papers
- Marriage/Divorce license
Other
- Phone
- Phone charger
- Medications
- House and car keys
- Post office key
- Valuable jewelry
- Pictures and sentimental items
- Address books
- Extra clothes for you and your children
- Diapers for infants
- Toys and stuffed animals for your children
- Toiletries
- Snacks
- Bottles or sippy cups
- Pacifier for infants or toddlers
- Computer/tablet
Emergency Numbers