Safety Planning

• Plan and Practice escape routes.

• Keep a purse with car keys and important documents ready in an easily accessible place.

• Try to leave money and extra keys with a trusted friend or relative

• Keep copies of important documents. Some documents you may want to include are as follows. It is a good idea to keep these items in a specified folder at all times for easy access in case you need to make a quick escape.

  • ID's for yourself and your children​

  • Birth certificates for you and your children

  • Social Security cards

  • School and vaccination records

  • Money, checkbook, bank books, ATM cards

  • Credit cards

  • Keys

    • House​ keys

    • Car keys

    • Office keys

  • Driver's License/Car registration

  • Medication

  • Insurance papers

  • Public assistance Id/Medicaid/Food stamps

  • Passports, green cards, work permits

  • Lease, rental agreement or house deed

  • Car/mortgage payment book

  • Marriage License

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• Call a domestic violence program. We can help you with safe shelter. Below is a list of resources.

  • June N Jenkins Women's Shelter (337)462-6504 or (337)462-6509.​

  • National Hotline at 1-888-411-1333.

• Have an extra set of car keys and important items and documents ready.

• If you fear your life is in danger, consider getting a protective order. June N Jenkins or nearly any other womens' shelter is equipped to help you obtain a protective order at absolutely no cost to you.

• Make sure to bring important documents with you! Refer to the list above under "Being ready for a crisis" for a full list of documents and things you may need.

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• ​Change the locks on your doors and windows.

• Reinforce the locks with longer and thicker screws.

• Replace wooden doors with metal/steel doors.

• Install a security system! Look into additional locks as well.

• Install smoke detectors and put fire extinguishers in your home.

• Teach your children how to use the phone and make sure they know important numbers

• Tell people who take care of your children (school, babysitters) of your situation. Make sure they know who can and cannot pick up your kids.

• Give your kids' caretakers copies of custody and protective orders and emergency numbers.

• Protect yourself at work.

  • Inform your boss, coworkers, and security of your situation.

  • Ask reception to screen calls while at work.

  • Create a plan while commuting to and from work in case you find yourself in a dangerous situation.

  • Try to change your routine, avoid going alone to places you fear your abuser may show up.

• If you have a protective order...

  • Keep copies on you and at your house.

  • Give a copy to your housing office, if applicable.

  • Give a copy to your employer.

  • Make sure local authorities have been notified and have copies of the protective order.

  • Give copies to all schools, daycares, babysitters, or anywhere else your children spend time.

  • If your abuser destroys your protective order, immediately contact authorities. You can obtain copies from the Clerk of Court, your attorney, or JNJWS.

  • If your abuser violates the terms of the protective order, immediately contact your local police, your attorney, or your advocate.

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• Protect your emotional health.

  • If you are feeling down, lonely, or confused, remember you are not alone! Call us at (337)462-6504 or (337)462-6509. You can also call the international hotline at 1-888-411-1333.

  • You can attend support groups, workshops, or classes at your local domestic violence program

    • These can help you ​connect with child care systems, learn skills, or get information.

• June N. Jenkins offers Children's Groups. 

  • Children's Groups are designed to be therapeutic play-and-learn sessions.​

  • These can teach your children a variety of valuable life skills and worldly awareness.