Safety Planning and Collecting Documents

One of the things our Advocates do regularly is help our clients to create safety plans. We help create plans for those people who are currently being abused, safety plans for people who are leaving their abuser, safety plans for people in shelter and outreach, and for people who are ready to move out on their own. 

One of the most important parts of a safety plan is gathering all of the important paperwork that proves who someone is and that their children are in their custody. Some of this paperwork includes identification, social security cards, birth certificates, car titles, etc. Originals are best, but copies will suffice if you aren't able to get the originals without being noticed. 

Keep these documents in a safe, hidden place, and in a plastic resealable bag for protection if possible. 

Consider placing them in a sealed envelope that you've signed the seal of and give them to a trusted family member or friend for safe keeping in the event that you leave quickly. 

If you are the trusted family member or friend receiving these materials, place them in a plastic bag and in a fire safe, if possible. It is one of the things we can do to support someone we love.

This part of safety planning makes leaving a little and rebuilding someone's life a little easier. 

More ideas for safety planning and which documents to keep are included in the link below.

http://dvrc-or.org/domestic/violence/resources/C60/