Safety at home

Safety at work

Protecting your children

Getting an order of protection

Getting out now - Quick List

What you need when preparing to leave

REACH

Safety at home

When 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.

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 is seen around the house.

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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.

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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.

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Getting an order of protection

• Contact REACH at (828) 456-7898 to speak with their free Legal Advocate who can walk you through the steps.
• Contact Haywood County Sheriff’s Office at (828)-452-6666 and request to speak with their Legal Advocate.
• Call (828) 456-8191 for Haywood County Magistrate’s Office to learn about an order of protection and injunction against harassment.
• Keep your order with you at ALL times, and give copies to family, friends, schools, employers and babysitters.

IN AN EMERGENCY - CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY

• Go to an emergency room if you need medical help.
• Take pictures of bruises and injuries.

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Getting Out Now - Quick Check List

Keep this information with you.

• Identification: Driver's license and birth certificates
• Money: ATM card, credit cards and checkbooks
• Legal papers: Protective order and medical records
• Important personal items: Keys and medicine

24-hour hotlines

For local shelter: (828) 456-7898

National hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

REACH

Mission Statement:  To interrupt the cycle of violence as it operates within families and to provide assistance to those who are victims

Services Provided:

• 24-hour crisis hot-line (828-456-7898) for victims to call and access services
• Emergency shelter for those victims who are displaced from their homes
• Emergency food, clothing, and personal care items for those victims who have fled their homes with no possessions
• Individuals counseling and support groups for victims needing emotional healing
• Legal and court assistance for those victims in the judicial system
• Referral to appropriate social service agencies
• Community education
• Medical assistance and assistance in establishing a home free from violence

Annual Events:

• "Women Playing for Women" Ladies golf  tournament, usually held in late spring or early summer
• "Mountain Classic Fall Fashion Show" Ladies fashion show, held late summer or early fall
• "Annual REACH Silent Auction"  Silent auction and dinner, held late fall.

Volunteers:

Volunteers are needed to operate the 24-hour crisis hotline and work with the shelter program.  Volunteer training is held four times a year.

Contact:

Julia B. Freeman, Executive Director

REACH of Haywood County, Inc.
PO Box 206
Waynesville, NC  28786

(828) 456-7898
(828) 452-0960 fax

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What You Need When Preparing To Leave

Identification

• Driver's license
• Children's birth certificates
• Your birth certificate
• Social Security card
• Welfare identification
• Medical insurance cards

Money

• Money and/or credit cards
• ATM card
• Savings books
• 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

• Keys 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

1. Open a savings account in your own name. Get your own post office box so that you can receive mail and checks.

2. Plan who to stay with or who would be able to lend you money during a crisis.

3. Contact the hotline or any shelter for help in safety planning and keep the hotline number with you at all times.

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