If your abuser suspects you are thinking about leaving you may be in danger so please consider your safety at all times.
Prepare a bag of clothes, medication and other essentials for yourself and your children. Hide the bag where you can get to it in a hurry if you have to leave quickly.
- You should not plan to take much as you may need to leave in a hurry.
- Pack a limited amount of clothing.
- Remember to pack prescription medication if you take it.
- Birth certificate(s), marriage certificate, passport(s), visas and work permits, driving licence - make sure you know where these are but pack them last.
- National Insurance Number.
- A recent bank statement or bill that would evidence your most recent address.
- Information about your home (mortgage documents/tenancy agreement).
- One or two favourite toys for the children.
- A couple of things of sentimental value to you.
- Some cash and bank cards.
- New mobile phone (a new basic phone with a new SIM is better than putting a new SIM card in your old phone especially if your phone was monitored. A tracker may have been installed).
- Spare set of keys (car, house, work) and vehicle registration document if you own a car in your name.
- Any documents you have that evidence the abuse: medical records/police reports/photos/notes you have made/messages you have received etc.
- Address book and diary.
- Keep this hidden away somewhere your abuser won’t find it, or ideally leave it with a trusted friend or relative.
