Call the police.
If you are in danger or need immediate assistance, call 911. The police keep records which may assist you in court later. If the police come to your home or you go to the precinct, obtain the police report number.
Talk to someone you trust.
When you are ready, disclose to a close friend or family member what is going on in your relationship. You can ask this person to help you make a safety plan or help you find services.
Talk to a trained professional
Contact your local victim assistance program. They will be able to provide crisis intervention services such as individual counseling, support groups, emergency and relocation assistance, financial aid, advocacy with housing, accompaniment to the courts, hospital and police station, and information and referrals.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800)799-7233. You are not alone.
Make a Safety Plan.
Find a place you can go to if you need to leave quickly-a friend's house, family member, hotel or domestic violence shelter.
Have an idea of how you will get out of the home (a window, fire escape) and how you will get away (car, bus, taxi)
Prepare a bag that contains the following: money, a change of clothes, spare keys and important documents (driver's license, check book, medial records, birth certificates, health insurance cards, etc.). Keep this bag hidden or leave at a friend's or family member's house, your work, or any other safe place in case you need to leave in an emergency.
Arrange with a friend to have an "emergency phrase" that your partner will not recognize. Or arrange a signal with a neighbor to let them know when you are in trouble.
