Keeping Safe at Work 

Make a list of people to call in an emergency. Emergency contact numbers should be provided to your employer, friends, family, and school personnel (if you have children), in the event you become unreachable. Do not list the abuser as an emergency contact person.

Keep a spare set of keys, some money, extra clothes and toiletries at work.

Collect key documents for future use and store them in a safe place for quick access. These include a driver's license, extra keys, photo ID, birth certificate, social security card, prescription information, checkbook, credit cards, cash and any orders of protection. These items should be readily available if you need to leave quickly.

Decide who you can stay with or borrow money from in case of emergency. This "safe location" should be unknown to the abuser.

Identify escape routes from the buildings in which you live, work, or attend classes. Note which doors, windows, elevators, stairwells, or fire escapes can be used to get away quickly.

Become familiar with the local social service organizations that are key resources in the community such as police, domestic violence shelters, food pantries, domestic violence programs, etc.

Review your travel route between home and work with those involved in your safety plan. Remember to include parking arrangements.

Discuss your current work schedule with appropriate work representatives to see if temporary modifications (such as a change in work hours or location) are available to ensure your safety.

Make certain the employer has a current photo of the abuser, particularly if an order of protection is in place. This will enable security to assist in heading off potentially violent situations.

(c)1998-2001 Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence http://www.caepv.org/