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| What you can do to help your children stay safe: It is important that
your child is aware of your safety plan and his/her role in that plan.
Go over it with them and practice what they are to do.
This involves the child and helps him/her to feel more safe and in
control. Make sure you talk with
your children so that they better understand what is going on.
Remember that when a parent is being battered, a child becomes a victim
too. What
children can do to keep themselves safe:
Ø Know the phone numbers and addresses for the police and family members or friends who can be called for help. Know the importance of getting help when it is needed. Ø
Know where to go if help is needed.
For example, neighbors, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, police, First
Call for Help, and any others you can think of. Ø
Know who you can talk to and trust.
For example, neighbors, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, police,
teachers, school counselors, and any others that you can think of. Ø
Know who is going to pick you up from school or day care, and make
sure you only go with that person. Ø
If your parents do not live together, know when and where you are supposed to
visit your other
parent, so that you always know if they should be picking you up. Ø
If you walk home from school, make sure you walk the same way
every day, so that your parent knows where to find you if they need to. Ø
Make sure you know what is happening around you, so you know if
something does not feel or look right. If
something does not feel or look right get help right away. Ø
With your parent, plan a way for you to get out of the house in
case someone comes into the house who should not be there. Ø
Have your parent help you put together clothes, small toys, a blanket, stuffed animals, and other things that will help you to stay
comfortable if you are going to be leaving your house quickly. Ø If you can, have your parent practice leaving with you, so that you know what is going to happen if you have to leave the house quickly. Ø
Plan a signal with your parent that shows you that there is
something wrong in the house and that tells you to go and get help.
For example, leave the outside light on during the day to let you know
that you need to get help instead of going into the house. Ø
If you know there is an Order for Protection in place, ask your
parent what this means for you. Ø If you do not understand what is going on, ask your parent or someone that you trust to explain things to you. Contact
Advocates for Family Peace for assistance at: (218)326-0388 1-800-909-8336 After hours: 1-800-442-8565 |