SAFETY > SAFETY WITH AN ABUSER >

Protect and Prepare Yourself
Keep Evidence of Abuse
Develop Plans
What to Take With You
As You Are Leaving
After Obtaining a Restraining Order
If You Relocate

Keep Evidence of Abuse

• Keep any evidence you can of physical abuse. Make sure to keep this evidence in a safe place that your abuser will not find. This might include:
• Any pictures you have of bruises or other injuries. If you're taking pictures of your injuries, try to have these pictures dated.
• Any household objects that your abuser tore or broke.
• Any pictures that show your home is destroyed or messed up after violence happened.
• Any records that you have from doctors or the police that document the abuse.
• Keeping a journal about the abuse. Write down how he abused you, any way that he threatened you, and when these things happened.
• Anything else you think could help show that you've been abused.
• Know where you can go to get help. This website has listings of domestic violence organizations and legal resources in every state. To find these listings, select your state from the drop-down menu at the top of this page. Then click on the Links and Resources link for your state. Also, the National Domestic Violence Hotline can connect you directly with someone in your area who can help you -- 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
• Tell someone you trust what is happening to you.
• If you are hurt, go to a doctor or an emergency room. Tell them what happened. Ask them to make a record of your visit and what happened. Get a copy.