How to Stay Safe While Your Domestic Violence Case Is Underway

If you’re a victim of domestic violence or abuse, you may feel helpless, scared, and intimidated. Reaching out for help is a difficult first step, but it can make all the difference in the world in your future and your children’s future.

However, many people who seek legal help for domestic violence may feel even more nervous and uneasy while they wait for their cases to proceed or for legal action to be taken against their abusers.

At The Law Office of André J. Ausseresses, APC, we understand how this can be a difficult time. We work hard to resolve domestic violence protection cases quickly and confidentially, but we also know that victims often seek guidance while their abusers are yet to face the consequences of their actions.

Use the information in this blog to stay safe while your domestic violence case is underway.

If You’re Still Living with the Abuser

Unfortunately, many people are unable to leave the homes they share with their abusers. Whether it’s due to children, finances, or simply fear of violence if they leave, they may be forced to stay in dangerous situations. If this is the case for you, taking these steps can help reduce your risks:

• Avoid using alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications that can impact your ability to think and react clearly and quickly.
• Know where potential weapons are located in the home and hide them or lock them up away from your abuser.
• Create an escape plan for yourself and your children is abuse or violence escalates. Having a code word or phrase for your children can help you quietly leave the home before the situation becomes violent and without tipping off your abuser.
• Clear your internet history and cookies if you search for help or use your attorney’s website to get help for domestic violence. It’s important to not let your abuser know that you’re intending on getting legal help or filing a restraining order against them while you live in the same household.

If You’ve Moved to a New Location

Moving to a new apartment or home can dramatically reduce your risks when you’re in a domestic violence situation. However, you may still worry that your abuser will find out where you live or attempt to enter your new home. These tips can help keep you safe:

• Keep all doors and windows locked when you are at home, and be careful of who you give extra keys to. If you think copies of your keys have fallen into the wrong hands, change your locks ASAP.
• Install cameras around your property, especially at all entrances to your home. Many Wifi-enabled camera systems are inexpensive and can be viewed through smartphone apps.
• Be ready to call 911 if you feel like you or your children are at risk of being harmed. Domestic violence situations can turn into potentially dangerous or even deadly scenarios very quickly, so you must be prepared to act right away.

If You’re Using Social Media

Almost everyone uses at least one social media account these days. While the best policy for social media usage when you’re facing a domestic violence situation is to stop using it entirely, that’s not always possible. Here are a few tips to follow to make using social media less risky when dealing with an abuser:

• Block the abuser and anyone who might allow them to access their account or who might give them information about you. Pare down your list of friends and followers to only people you trust.
• Alternatively, create a new account and only tell people you trust about it. Create privacy settings that only allow approved friends and followers the ability to see what you post.
• Even if you have your profile locked down, be careful what you post. Don’t talk about your plans to get an attorney or the status of your case. If you’ve moved out or live in a different home than your abuser, don’t post your current whereabouts.

We Can Help You Stay Safe while Building Your Case

At The Law Office of André J. Ausseresses, APC, it’s our goal to protect people who are dealing with domestic violence that affects them and/or their children. We know that cases can take time to resolve, and in the meantime, victims may live in constant fear of whether their abusers will find out that they’re seeking help or will retaliate.

When you contact our firm, we’ll work quickly, efficiently, and confidentially to help you get the legal protection you need for yourself and your children. Contact us today for a free initial domestic violence consultation. We want to put our years of family law experience to work for you.