07854 044680 or 01603 927717 (During Hub Hours Only) enquiries@dawnsnewhorizon.org.uk

Leave Safely Plan

 

If you need to escape and have a few minutes to prepare, these are a few things you may want to take with you:

  • Identification, passports, visas, work permits, national insurance number
  • Birth certificates – yours and the children’s
  • Money, bank books, order books, debit and credit cards
  • Driving licence, address book
  • Prescribed medication
  • Mortgage or tenancy document, rental agreement
  • Family photographs, children’s favourite toys
  • Clothing and toiletries
  • Keys – home and work
  • Legal documents, injunction papers, divorce papers
  • Mobile phones – if you have one, try to make sure it’s fully charged and if possible have credit on the phone
  • Try and keep items in a safe place like at a friend’s or neighbour’s home.

 

Safety in numbers

  • Think about who you can trust to tell if you are planning to leave. Maybe have a code word you can say in case of emergency
  • Keep emergency phone numbers together in a safe place
  • Local police station, 24-hour domestic violence helpline number – 0808 2000 247
  • Domestic violence support worker phone number at hand, along with your doctor’s phone number.

Why doesn't she leave?

 

Reasons why a woman may not be ready to leave

  • She may still care for her partner and hope that they will change (many woman don’t necessarily want to leave the relationship, they just want the violence to stop)
  • She may feel ashamed about what has happened or believe that it is her fault
  • She may be scared of the future (where she will go, what she will do for money, whether she will have to hide forever, and what will happen to the children)
  • She may worry about money and supporting herself and her children
  • She may feel too exhausted or unsure to make any decisions
  • She may be isolated from family or friends or be prevented from leaving the home or reaching our for help
  • She may not know where to go
  • She may have low self-esteem as a result of the abuse
  • She may believe that it is better to stay for the sake of the children (wanting a father for her children and/or wishing to prevent the stigma associated with being a single parent.

 

Women and children need to know that they will be taken seriously and that their rights will be enforced. They need to have accessible options and be supported to make safe changes for themselves and their children. Resources and support they will need to leave safely include: money, housing, help with moving, transport, ongoing protection from the police, legal support to protect them and their children, a guaranteed income

and emotional support. If a woman is not sure if these are available to her, this may also prevent her from leaving.

 

Women may also seek support from family or friends and the quality of the support they receive is likely to have a significant influence on their decision-making. Sometimes women will make several attempts to leave before they actually leave permanently and safely. Regardless of her decision, it is important that the support a woman receives enables her to increase her and her children’s safety regardless of the choices she makes about her relationship to the abuser.

 

It is vitally important that women are also supported while living with their abusers. If a woman feels that she will not be given ongoing support while she stays with her abusive partner, she is unlikely to seek help from the same person or organisation again.

 

 

Domestic violence affects men too

 

We understand how difficult it can be if you are a man experiencing domestic abuse or other forms of violence. You might feel scared, isolated, and confused. You might feel ashamed or afraid to tell anyone about your situation. But you are not alone – there is support available from Dawn's New Horzon and other groups.

 

Mens Advice Line - 0808 8010327

Mankind - 0808 800 1170 

 

Other support services and information

 

Remember in an emergency situation you should always call 999 for the Police. If you cannot talk, you will be asked to press 55 to be put through.

 

 

WOMEN can call The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night. The staff will offer confidential, non-judgemental information and support

 

MEN can call Respect Men's Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 (Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm), or visit the webchat at Men's Advice Line (Wednesday 10am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4pm) for non-judgemental information and support

 

NHS - Getting help for domestic violence