|
Readiness Kit
Leaving an abusive relationship is a difficult decision. Often women are forced to make the decision at a moment's notice. The following items should be put together, perhaps in a backpack and stored in a safe place, such as at work, a friend's house or your car. When the time comes to leave, you'll be able to go without a lot of worry about what you need to take.
|
Identification
Driver's License
Birth Certificates
Money
Pink Slip to car
House Deed
Checkbook
Bank Book
Credit Cards |
Insurance Papers
Keys
Medications
Children's favorite toy
Medical records (for you and your children)
Social Security (for you and your children)
Medi-Cal cards
Welfare Identification Card |
School Records
Work Permits
Green Card
Passport
Divorce Papers
Marriage License Jewelry
Family Pictures
Address Book
Cell phone or phone card |
You may take anything that belongs to you alone and anything that belongs to you and your partner together. You can withdraw money you have in a joint bank account with your partner. You may not take anything that belongs only to your partner, and you may not destroy property that belongs to both of you.
If you do not take these things when you leave, you can ask police to escort you back to your house at a later time and ask them to wait while you get your things (the majority of police departments will do this). The police will wait only a few minutes and will only let you take things that obviously belong to you or your children, such as clothing. Or you can wait until your partner goes to work and get what you need. However, if you do go back and your partner won't let you in, the police cannot force your partner to let you in without a court order.
Download a guide to create your Personalized Safety Plan
Requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Click here to download:
|
