Domestic Violence: Checklist of Things to Take When You Leave
Topic Overview
Here are some helpful items to get together when you are
planning on leaving an abusive situation. Keep these items in a safe place
until you are ready to leave or in case you need to leave suddenly. If you have
children, take them. And take your pets, too, if possible.
Checklist for preparing to leave an abusive situation
| Identification for yourself and your
children |
- Birth certificates
- Social
Security cards (or numbers written on paper if you can't find the
cards)
- Driver's license
- Photo identification or
passport
- Welfare identification
- Green card
|
| Important personal papers |
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce
papers
- Custody orders
- Legal protection or restraining
orders
- Health insurance papers and medical cards
-
Medical records for all family members
- Children's school
records
- Investment papers/records and account numbers
-
Work permits
- Immigration papers
- Rental
agreement/lease or house deed
- Car title, registration, and
insurance information
- Records of police reports you have filed, or other evidence of abuse
|
| Funds |
- Cash
- Credit
cards
- ATM card
- Checkbook and bankbook (with deposit
slips)
|
| Keys |
- House
- Car
- Safety
deposit box or post office box
|
| A way to communicate |
- Phone calling card
- Cell
phone
- Address book
|
| Medicines |
- At least 1 month's supply for all
medicines you and your children are taking, as well as a copy of the
prescriptions
|
| A way to get by |
- Jewelry or small objects you can sell, if
you run out of money or stop having access to your accounts
|
| Things to help you cope |
- Pictures
-
Keepsakes
- Children's small toys or books
|
Source: National Women's Health Information Center at www.WomensHealth.gov.
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Brigid McCaw, MD, MS, MPH, FACP - Family Violence Prevention |
|
Last Revised
|
March 8, 2012 |
Last Revised:
March 8, 2012
