Prevention

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Emotional and verbal abuse, attempts to isolate and threats and intimidation within a relationship may be an indication that physical abuse is to follow. Even if these behaviors are not accompanied by physical abuse, they must not be minimized or ignored.

If you are dating, learn how to minimize your risk of becoming a victim of dating violence before you find yourself in an uncomfortable or threatening situation.

If you are already in an abusive relationship, take the following actions to prevent the violence from escalating:

• Share your situation with someone you can trust. Tell a family member or friend what's going on.

• Prepare NOW for your escape. Make plans for what you will do if you are attacked again.

• Locate a safe place for you and your children to go—a friend's house or a shelter. A crisis hotline or your local police can help you find a shelter.

• Have a back-up plan in mind just in case your first plan doesn't work.

• Build a survival kit including a spare set of keys, clothes, birth certificates, passports, divorce/custody/separation agreements, protection orders, prescriptions, bank cards and money. Ask someone you trust to keep these items for you.

• Contact your local family court or domestic violence court for information about getting a civil protection order.

• Try not to let the abuser trap you in a kitchen with potential weapons or in small places like a bathroom.

• If you are injured, go to a hospital or health care professional's office, tell the health care professional who treats you what happened and make sure he or she writes it in your medical records.

• Try to open a savings account in your own name. Ask someone you trust to keep the account statements, and have the statements sent directly to that person. Keep some emergency cash in a safe place near an escape exit.

• Know your rights. Contact the shelter or women's center in your area to find out about your legal rights and what resources are available in the community.

• If you are in immediate danger, don't wait—call 911.