Here are some general guidelines  for you and your family's safety. Nothing can fully guarantee your safety but following these strategies may help.

• Computer Safety
• Personal Safety Plan
• Safety through the Legal System
• Safety with a Restraining Order
• Safety at Work
• Safety at Home
• Things That Would Be Helpful If You Leave
• Important Numbers

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Computer Safety

• Computer use can be monitored and is impossible to completely clear. If you are in danger, please use a safer computer, call 911, your local hotline, or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.

Personal Safety Plan

To increase your safety:

• Know your options if you have to leave home in an emergency. Can you stay with a friend? Will you go to a domestic abuse shelter?
• If you're not feeling safe, try to avoid the bathroom and kitchen or any room without an easy exit.  Identify which doors, windows, or stairwells would be the best escape routes.
• Identify a neighbor you can tell about the violence and ask that neighbor to call the police if he or she hears a disturbance.
• Devise a signal to use with your children, family, and neighbors when you need the police. Instruct your children about what to do and where to go to be safe during an explosive situation.
• If you can, leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents, extra medicines, and clothes with someone you trust so that you can leave quickly, if necessary.
• Keep the shelter or hotline phone number close at hand and/or call 911 for emergency transportation or assistance.
• Rely on your instinct. You can trust yourself  to do whatever is necessary to protect yourself and your children.

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Safety Through the Legal System

To Increase Your Safety:

• Nothing can guarantee your safety, but a domestic abuse restraining order may serve as a deterrent to further abuse. For more information or help in getting a restraining order , contact the Manitowoc County Domestic Violence Center at 920-684-5770.
• Physical violence and/or the threat of physical violence is a crime. If you feel that you are in danger, call 911.  

Safety with a Restraining Order

To Increase Your Safety:

• If you have a restraining order, keep it with you at all times and give a copy to a trusted friend, neighbor, or family member.
• Arrange to have an answering machine, caller ID, or trusted friend or relative screen your telephone calls. Keep a record of calls.
• Call police immediately if your partner violates any part of  the restraining order.
• Inform family, friends, neighbors, your child's school and co-workers that you have a restraining order.

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Safety at Work

To Increase Your Safety:

• Decide who in the work place needs to know of your situation. This may include building security, personnel department, and your boss. Provide a picture of your abuser if possible.
• Devise a safety plan for leaving work. Have someone escort you to your car or bus and wait with you until you are safely en-route.
• If possible, vary your routine and use a variety of routes to go home.  

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Safety at Home

To Increase Your Safety:

• Consider changing the locks on your doors. Check safety devices to secure your windows. Secure sliding patio doors.
• Think about installing additional outdoor lighting with motion detectors.
• Inform neighbors and landlord that your partner no longer lives with you and ask them to call the police if they see your partner near your home.

Things That would be Helpful if you Decide to Leave

IDENTIFICATION

• Driver’s License
• Your birth certificate
• Children's birth certificates Social security card for you and your children
• AFDC, WIC, Medical card identification

FINANCIAL

• Money and/or credit cards
• Bank books or account numbers
• Checkbooks or account numbers
• Phone calling cards
• ATM card

LEGAL PAPERS

• YOUR RESTRAINING ORDER
• Custody papers
• Lease, rental agreement, house deed
• Car registration and insurance papers
• Health and life insurance papers
• Medical records for you & children
• School records
• Work permits/Green card/VISA
• Passport
• Divorce papers

OTHER

• House/apartment and car keys
• Medications, Glasses, Hearing Aid
• Address book
• Pictures of you, your children, and your abuser
• Toiletries/diapers
• Clothes for you and your children
• Child’s favorite toy or blanket

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Caution:

Internet Safety

SAFETY ALERT: If you are in danger, please use a safer computer, or call 911, your local hotline, or the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) and TTY 1-800-787-3224. See more technology safety tips here. There is always a computer trail, but you can leave this site quickly if you click ESC. ESC

Contact Information:
Manitowoc County Domestic Violence Center
1127 S. 22nd. St,   Manitowoc, WI  54220     
Crisis Line: 920-684-5770 or 1-877-275-6888
Business: 920-684-4661    Fax: 920-684-6344