Anna

Anna came home from work and Dan was already there. He had been drinking and yelled at her for getting in early and disturbing him. In the past, Dan has hit Anna when he was sent home from work and started drinking early. She went into the bedroom to change clothes and began thinking through her safety plan. Before she could get in the shower, Anna heard Dan yelling her name. He was swearing and threatening to hurt her.

Anna put on her robe, grabbed her work bag and ran out through the patio door. She drove to her mother’s house where she had stored clothes and a few other essential items. Anna made arrangements for her brother to pick up the kids from school before dismissal. He hid her car a few blocks from their mother’s house. Anna hid in the basement with her kids when Dan came to her mother’s house looking for her. She followed her plan and called the police and Dan was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated and Disorderly Conduct. Anna stayed overnight with her mother and had work clothes and clothes for the kids in her go bag. The following day after work, she sat with her family to think about next steps.

LaShonna

Whenever Mike goes out with his friends on Friday night, he comes home to sexually assault and batter LaShonna. He promised her he wouldn’t do it again, but it’s Friday and Mike hasn’t come home from work. LaShonna calls his mom who confirmed Mike’s not there, but out with his brother and a few friends. His mom tells LaShonna to leave Mike alone and he deserves to relax after a long week at work. LaShonna agrees with his mom and tells her she’s going to start making dinner. She knows Mike’s mom would call Mike if she suspected anything. LaShonna wrote her safety plan check list on her phone and opens it as she pulls out a small carry on bag. She hides Mikes guns and ammunition in two different spots. LaShonna gets four outfits, her social security card, passport, and birth certificate, deed for the house and title for the cars. She gets her back up inhaler, work computer and feeds her bird. LaShonna drives to a mid-sized hotel an hour away. She went there a few weeks ago to check out the exits and entry points. LaShonna gives the valet her car, asking for it to be parked in a discrete location. Once inside, she asks for one of the rooms near the secure back door, but far away from the main entrance. In her room, LaShonna contacts her manager and tells her she’ll need Monday off and will work remotely the next the week. She then calls her mom to let her mom know she’s ok. LaShonna expects Mike will eventually call her mom and she’s careful not to tell her mom where she is. She then calls her friend Trina who agrees to go with her to apply for a restraining order Monday morning. As she talks to Trina, the calls, text messages and threats start. Mike is on his way home.

Lee

Lee and Albert were just about finished with breakfast when Albert realized Lee forgot to pour him orange juice. She hadn’t noticed the look on his face, she just felt the pain when he slapped her. Before she knew what was happening, Lee was on the ground and he was threatening to kill her. This wasn’t like the other times. It wasn’t just about her. Lee was pregnant and had to protect her baby.

Safety plan 1. Get to the neighbor. Albert won’t confront her there because he’s afraid of her husband.

Safety plan 2. Get to the bedroom. Lock the door and call the police.

Safety plan 3. Get the car keys and go to the police station.

Safety plan 4. Run as fast as you can and scream until someone helps you

Albert had the car keys and Lee didn’t think she could get the door open without him attacking her. She fought as hard as she could and got free. Lee grabbed her cell phone and ran to the basement door, locking it behind her. Lee had put a new deadbolt on the basement door and the neighbor helped her get everything she needed to barricade herself in the basement just in case her plans to leave didn’t work. She could hear Albert screaming about orange juice. He said was angry that Lee was making him wait for her. She called the police and didn’t come out of the basement until Albert was in handcuffs. Lee was taken to the hospital and Albert was charged with abuse to her and their baby.