HTML Preview Domestic Violence Safety Plan Brochure page number 1.
This project was supported by grant #97-VA-GX-0017 awarded by the Office for
Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points
of view or opinions contained in this document are those of the author and do
not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department
of Justice.
Some information in this brochure was taken from Handbook for Domestic
Violence Victims, Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Domestic Violence
Safety Plan, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office; Domestic violence palm card,
Office of the Attorney General, California Department of Justice; and Domestic
Violence: The Hidden Crime, National Crime Prevention Council.
Printed on recycled paper by authority of the State of Illinois, October 2000.
Purchase order #3170952/250,000 copies.
120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 1016
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Phone: 312–793–8550
TDD: 312–793–4170
www.icjia.state.il.us
Are you abused?
Does the person you love...
• Destroy your personal property or
sentimental items?
• Make you or your children feel
afraid?
• Threaten to hurt you or the children?
• Throw things at you or the children?
• Hit, slap, punch, kick, or bite you
or the children?
• Force you to have sex against your
will?
If you answered “yes” to any of these,
you are a victim of domestic abuse. It’s
time to get help.
Remember:
• You are not alone. One-fourth of all
relationships include violence,
which almost always involves the
man beating the woman.
• You are not the cause of someone
else’s violent behavior.
• You do not deserve to be abused.
• You have the right to expect help
and respect.
• You have the right to make your
own choices, including the decision
to leave the abusive situation.
You don’t have to live with the
abuse. Take control of your life.
W
hile you may not have control
over another person’s violent
behavior, you do have choices about
how you respond.
Always remember, it is against the
law for your partner or ex-partner to
hurt you. Domestic violence is not a
“family matter” — it is a serious crime.
You have the right and the power to
break free from the violence. You can
have the better, safer life you and your
children deserve.
This brochure should be used as a
planning tool. It will help you think
about what you need to do if or when
you leave the abusive situation. It is not
easy to do, but you can do it — one
step at a time.
Even if you think you won’t leave,
take the time now to read this brochure
and develop your own personal safety
plan — do it for yourself, and do it for
your children.
Safety Plan
for Domestic
Violence
Victims
For more information, contact:
Illinois Coalition Against
Domestic Violence: (217) 789-2830
National Domestic Violence Coalition
hotline: (800) 799-SAFE
ILLINOIS
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
INFORMATION AUTHORITY
O
nly YOU can decide the way
it will be; what kind of life -
the quality. A new life awaits -
seek strength from within. A new
life awaits - let the healing begin.
—Linda, survivor of
domestic violence
For copies of other victim information
brochures, contact:
Are you being abused
by someone you love?
It’s time to get help.