Talk to someone you trust about what is happening

Contact us at 322-4878 or the statewide domestic violence hotline at 1-800-650-6522 to find out about laws and resources (including shelter and advocacy) to protect you.

Keep important papers (social security cards, health insurance documents, ID, drivers license, financial statements, birth certificates, passports), a change of clothes, medicines, personal care items and some money stored in a secret place so that you have access to it in an emergency or if you decide to leave. Include change for public telephones if necessary.

Arrange a signal with a neighbor to let them know when you need help; for example, a certain light on or pulling down a particular window shade - something that alerts them you need help.

If an argument seems unavoidable, try to have it near an exit and away from weapons.

Teach your children not to get in the middle of an argument. They should go to another room to be safe. Teach them how and when to call 911 and where they should go if they need to flee.

Approximately 2000 women are murdered each year according to FBI statistics.

Battering is the single largest cause of injury to women in the United States - more than mugging, automobile accidents and rape combined.

3.3 million children live in violent homes in the United States.

Physical abuse is the leading cause of death among children less than one year of age in this country.