Domestic violence is a serious issue that faces millions of men, women and children in the United States and all over the world each year. While society tends to think of domestic violence in terms of men harming women, it is not always that simple or black and white.
Whatever your situation and whether you are male or female, protecting yourself and your family from domestic violence is a major concern and something you need to do right away. Use this guide to get help for domestic violence that could just save your life and the life of your children.
Seek Police Help
When you are in the middle of a domestic dispute and you are afraid that you could be hurt physically you need to seek help from the police right away. The best way to do this is to go to a part of the home where you can lock the door and call 911.
If you can, leaving the house and getting to a safer, more public place is always ideal, but only if it will not put you further in jeopardy of a physical altercation. If you are unable to leave the house, stay quietly in a locked room and wait for the police to arrive.
Protecting Children
For any person in a volatile relationship, protecting any children in the home is obviously a first priority. However, actually doing this is a little bit more difficult than it sounds since children can be unpredictable.
One of the best methods for protecting children is simply to get them out of the home until a violent situation is resolved. You should also teach them to stay out of the way of altercations if they do come up to avoid any type of injury.
Preparing for Emergencies
When you live with the threat of domestic violence on a day-to-day basis it can be hard to know when you will need to escape the home. To be prepared, pack a bag for you and your children and teach them a safe escape route of the house, as well as where you will meet. Generally, this should be on your property.
You will also want to plan where you will go in the case of a domestic emergency. A supportive friend or family member may be able to offer you a place to feel safe and sleep away from harm.