Safety Alert

Computer use can be monitored and is impossible to completely clear. If you are afraid your internet and/or computer usage might be monitored, please use a safer computer, and/or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE(7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224. If you are viewing our site and need to quickly get away to an unrelated site, click the escape button in the top right corner and you will be redirected. Please test these features on your computer RIGHT NOW to ensure that they work. [escape button mentioned linked to Google search page]

Safety Planning

Having a safety plan can help you stay safe!

If you are still with your partner...

1. Think of a safe place to go if there is an argument—avoid rooms with no exit (bathroom) or rooms with weapons (kitchen).
2. Think about and make a list of safe people to contact.
3. Keep money with you at all times.
4. Memorize all important telephone numbers.
5. Establish a code word or sign so that family, friends, neighbors, teachers or co-workers know when to call for help.
6. Keep important papers with you such as social security cards, birth certificates, etc…
7. Don’t try to argue or reason with your partner. You can’t change your partner’s behavior.
8. Protect your face with your hands and arms, if your partner hits you. If knocked down, curl up in a ball protecting your head, face, and stomach.
9. Back the car in the driveway and keep it filled with gas. Keep the driver’s door unlocked.
10. Call our crisis line at 404.873.1766 v/tty for help in making your personal safety plan.
11. Keep your cell phone fully charged.

If you have left your partner...

1. Change your phone number.
2. Screen your phone calls.
3. Save and document all contacts, messages, injuries or other incidents involving the batterer.
4. Change locks, if the batterer has a key.
5. Avoid staying home alone.
6. Plan how to get away if your batterer shows up.
7. If you have to meet your former partner, do it in a public place.
8. Notify school, work and childcare contacts that you have left your abusive partner.
9. Vary your routine.
10. Call our crisis line at 404.873.1766 v/tty for help in making your personal safety plan.

PERSONAL SAFETY PLAN

To increase my safety, I can do some or all of the following:

1. When I talk to my abuser in person, I can _______________________________.
2. When I talk to my abuser on the phone, I can ____________________.
3. I will make up a code word for my family, coworkers, neighbors, teachers or friends, so they know when to call for help for me. My code word is ________________________________.
4. When I feel threatened, I will try to move to a place where I have the least chance of getting hurt, such as ________________________________.
5. I can tell my family, coworkers, boss or friends about my situation. I feel safe telling: _________________________.
6. I can use an answering machine or ask my co-workers, friends or other family members to screen my calls and visitors. I have the right not to receive harassing phone calls. I can ask _____________________________ or _______________________________to help screen my calls.
7. I can keep coins for phone calls with me at all times.
8. Keep my cell phone fully charged.
9. When leaving work I can _______________________________ to protect myself.
10. When walking, riding or driving home, if problems occur, I can _______________________________to protect myself.
11. I can call 911 and/or 404.873.1766 v/tty if I need help.

Violence within an intimate partner relationship is designed to be an act of control and may take on many forms including physical, psychological, economic and/or sexual abuse. Below you will find some SIGNS/CHARACTERISTICS of an abusive relationship. The listed behaviors are often exhibited by the abuser.

• Utilizes physical, sexual or psychological force to control behaviors
• Utilizes force to make the individual become compliant with requests
• Blames you for all the wrong mishaps in their life
• Frequently questions mock or criticize your decision making
• Calls excessively make frequent visits to your job or monitor your every move
• Makes accusations about your whereabouts or wrongfully accuses you of being involved with someone else
• Minimizes your accomplishments or goals
• Inquires constantly about where you are going and who you are with
• Strives to alienate you from friends and family
• Makes accusations of you flirting and/or having sexual relationships with others
• Exhibits extreme difficulty in controlling aggressive and/or emotional outbursts
• Monitors your appearance (i.e. makes negative comments about your attire, makeup, etc.)
• Will become overly accommodating and romantic after an intense argument or physical assault; however, the aggressive behavior is likely to follow soon at any given moment
• Blames you for how he/she feels
• Withholds money and other forms of support to meet your basic living expenses
• Makes threats to hurt you or your family
• Becomes easily agitated and explosive over trivial situations
• Alienates you from making any important decisions, whether these decisions are related to financial matters, childrearing, etc.
• Forces you to have sex with the abuser and/or other people
• Calls you derogatory names (i.e. slut, whore, etc.) in an attempt to reduce your self-esteem/self-worth
• Limits your access to financial resources and requires you to seek permission to make any financial decisions
• Assesses your clothing to determine if there is any evidence that you have been involved with someone else

Emory Healthcare and Emory University

The IPVWG has coordinated a network of Emory Resource Partners to increase awareness, prevention and intervention efforts related to intimate partner violence. Our goal is to reduce the impact and incidence of this issue for members of our community. The resources include the following organizations:

• Center for Women (404)727-2031; www.womenscenter.emory.edu; Provides consultations, referral services and educational materials.
• Faculty Staff Assistance Program (404)727-4328; efsap@emory.edu;www.emory.edu/fsap; Provides assessment, consultation, counseling, resource referrals, educational materials, 24-hour on-call services.
• Student Counseling Center (404)727-7450; www.emory.edu/scounsel; Provides intakes/assessment, counseling and resource referrals.
• The Respect Program (470-270-5360;http://success.emory.edu/respect/index.html; Provides consultation, referral and advocacy to students.
• Emory Police Department (404)727-6115; www.emory.edu/EPD; Provides consultations and resource information on safety plans and protection orders.
• Employee Health (404) 686-8589; www.emoryhealthcare.org; Provides new hire screenings, annual assessments, referral resources, educational and support services.
• Emory Center for Pastoral Services (404)712- 7200;www.emoryhealthcare.org/cps; Provides support and referral services.
• Emory University Human Resources (404)727-7611;http://emory.hr.emory.edu/eu/index.html; Provides consultation and support related to employee concerns and work performance. 
• Emory Healthcare Human Resources (404)778-7777;www.emoryhealthcare.org & https://www.emoryhealthcare.org/i-am/index.html; Provides consultation and support related to employee concerns and work performance.
• Office of Student Conduct (404) 727-7190; www.conduct.emory.edu

800 Hotline 800-33-HAVEN (334-2836)
Men Stopping Violence 404-688-1376
United Way Helpline 404-614-1000   (or 211)
Black Church & Domestic Violence 800-547-0060
Georgia Commission on Family Violence 404-657-3412
Raksha Network for South Asians 404-876-0828
Refugee Family Services 404-299-2243
Dekalb Rape Crisis Center 404-377-1429
Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault 678-701-2700
Tapestri Refugee & Immigrant Coalition 404-299-2185
Challenging Gender Based Oppression 404-299-2185
Women’s Resource Center 404-688-9436
Partnership Against Domestic Violence 404-870-9600
Georgia Partnership on Domestic Violence 404-688-9436