Safety Planning                                                                                     

Statistically, the most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence is when they are planning to leave, have already left, or are making moves toward independence (such as obtaining a protective order). Safety planning helps you to be prepared should you be faced with further violence. Use all or some of the following strategies during the TPO process: 

How to Stay Safe at the Courthouse  

•      Sit as far away from the abuser as you can; you don't have to look at or talk to the abuser; you don't have to talk to the abuser's family or friends if they are there 

•      Bring a friend or relative to wait with you until your case is heard  

•      Tell a bailiff or sheriff that you are afraid of the abuser and ask him/her to look out for you  

•      Make sure you have your court order before you leave  

•      If you think the abuser is following you when you leave, call the police          immediately  

•      If you have to travel to another State for work or to get away from the abuser, take your protection order with you; it is valid in all 50 states and other U.S. Territories  

Using the Law to Help You 

Protection or Restraining Orders  

•              Ask your local domestic violence program to help you get a civil protection order and to help you with criminal prosecution 

•      Ask for help in finding a lawyer 

In most places, the judge can:   

•      Order the abuser to stay away from you or your children  

•      Order the abuser to leave your home  

•      Give you temporary custody of your children & order the abuser to pay you temporary child 

      support  

•      Order the police to come to your home while the abuser picks up personal belongings  

•      Give you possession of the car, furniture and other belongings  

•      Order the abuser to go to a batterers' intervention program  

•      Order the abuser not to call you at work  

•      Order the abuser to give any guns in possession to police 

If possible, make sure you: 

•      Show the judge any pictures of your injuries  

•      Tell the judge that you do not feel safe if the abuser comes to your home to pick up the children to visit with them 

•      Ask the judge to order the abuser to pick up and return the children at the police station or some other safe place  

•      Ask that any visits the abuser is permitted are at very specific times so the police will know by reading the court order if the abuser is there at the wrong time 

•      Tell the judge if the abuser has harmed or threatened the children; ask that visits be supervised; think about who could do that for you 

•      Get a certified copy of the court order  

•      Keep the court order with you at all times  

•      Show the prosecutor your court orders  

•      Show the prosecutor medical records about your injuries or pictures, if you have them   

•      Tell the prosecutor the name of anyone who is helping you (a victim advocate or a lawyer)   

•      Tell the prosecutor about any witnesses to injuries or abuse  

•      Ask the prosecutor to notify you ahead of time if the abuser is getting out of jail  

This safety planning information has been reprinted by permission of the American Bar Association from the Domestic Violence Safety Plan: Safety Tips for You and Your Family, a joint project of the ABA Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section and the ABA Commission on Domestic Violence.