In the fall of 2024, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) mailed letters to parents who once had an open dependecy and/or severance case.
Did you receive a letter? Visit the DCS letter page for more information.
Domestic Violence Safety Plan
For Local Shelter Call:
1-800-799-7739
National Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Safety at Home: When the abuser is there
- Stay out of rooms with no exit
- Avoid rooms that may have weapons
- Select a code word that alerts friends and children to call police
- Leave suitcase and checklist items with a friend
Safety at Home: When abuser has moved out
- Obtain an order of protection
- Change locks on doors and windows
- Insert a peephole in the door
- Change telephone number, screen calls, and block caller ID
- Install/increase outside lighting
- Consider getting a dog
- Inform landlord or neighbor of situation and ask that police be called if abuser in seen around the house
Safety at Work: What to do
- Tell your employer
- Give security a photo of abuser and Order of Protection
- Screen your calls
- Have an escort to your car or bus
- Vary your route home
- Consider a cell phone for your car
- Carry a noisemaker or personal alarm
Protecting: Your Children
- Plan and rehearse an escape route with your children
- If it is safe, teach them a code word to call 911, and how to use a public telephone
- Let school personnel know to whom children can be released
- Give school personnel a photo of abuser
- Warn school personnel not to divulge your address and phone number
Getting an Order of Protection
- Call 506-SELF (7353) to learn about an Order of Protection and Injunction Against Harassment
- Call the police to get an immediate Order of Protection
- Keep you order with you at ALL times, and give copies to family, friends, schools, employers, and babysitters
When preparing to leave what you need:
Identification
- Drivers license
- Children birth certificate
- Your birth certificate
- Social security card
- Welfare identification
- Medical insurance cards
Money
- Money and/or credit cards
- ATM card
- Checkbook
Legal Documents
- Lease, rental agreement, or deed to house/properties
- Car registration and insurance papers
- Health and life insurance papers
- Medical records for you and your children
- School and shot records
- Work permits/green card or visa
- Passport
- Divorce papers
- Custody papers
Other things
- Key to house, car and safety deposit boxes
- Medications for you and your children
- Small objects to sell
- Jewelry
- Address book
- Phone card
- Pictures of you, children, and your abuser
- Children’s small toys
- Toiletries/diapers
- Clothing
To Do
- Open a savings account in your own name
- Get your own post office box so that you can receive mail and checks
- Plan who to stay with or who would be able to lend you money during the crisis
- Contact the hotline or any shelter for help in safety planning and keep the hotline number with you at all times
In an Emergency- CALL 911 Immediately!!!
Online Resources
Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
Plan de Seguridad ante la Violencia Doméstica
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence