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SAFETY &

SUPPORT

Without help, domestic violence often continues to get more severe over time. It can sometimes become deadly. 

ARE YOU IN A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP?

One in three teens will experience abuse in a dating relationship and more than two-thirds of them will never report it to anyone. 

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Ten Common Warning Signs of Abuse:

  1. Checking your cell phone without permission

  2. Constant put-downs

  3. Extreme jealousy or insecurity 

  4. Explosive temper

  5. Financial control

6. Isolating you from family or friends 

7. Mood swings

8. Physically hurting you

9. Possessiveness

10. Telling you what to do

PLANNING FOR SAFETY

Without help, domestic violence often continues to get more severe over time. It can sometimes become deadly. 

IDENTIFYING SUPPORT

Developing a support network can be very helpful to you as you plan safety. There are many places to turn for assistance. 

Community Support

Friends, family, women's and community groups, churches, and services providers (such as legal, health, counseling centers) can provide a variety of resources, support, and assistance.

Domestic violence services

Armstrong County, HAVIN, Inc. provides free and confidential services to individuals who are being battered. 

TO INCREASE YOUR SAFETY:

  • Tell others you trust such as friends, family, neighbors and co-workers, what is happening and talk about ways they might be able to help. 

  • Memorize emergency numbers for the local police (such as 911), support persons and crisis hotlines. 

  • Identify escape routes and places to go if you need to flee from an unsafe situation quickly.

  • Talk with your children about what they do if a violent incident occurs or they are afraid. 

  • Put together an emergency bag with money/checkbooks, extra car keys, medicine, and important papers such as birth certificates, social security cards, immigration documents, and medical cards. Keep it somewhere safe and accessible, such as with a trusted friend.

  • Trust your instincts- if you think you are in immediate danger, you probably are. get to a safe place as soon as you can.   

WHAT TO TAKE IF YOU LEAVE

Always remember that things can be replaced, you and your children cannot.
Personal Identification
  •    Driver's license
  •    Birth certificate 
  •    Social Security Card 
Financial
  •    Money 
  •    ATM Card, Credit Cards 
  •    ACCESS Cards
  •    Check book
  •    Savings Account Information
Legal Documents 
  •    Protection from Abuse Order
  •    Lease, deed or mortgage for your residence 
  •    Vehicle: owners card, title 
  •    Insurance cards: car, health, life 
  •    Medical records
  •    School records
  •    Divorce and/or Custody Papers
Other..
  •    Keys: Vehicle, home, safety, deposit box, post office
  •    Medications
  •    Photographs
  •    Sentimental keepsakes
  •    Children's favorite toy, blanket, etc.
  •    Clothing
  •    Toiletries and personal care items

HELP & RESOURCES

The PA Coalition to Advance Respect (PCAR):

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Founded in 1975, PCAR works to end sexual violence and advocate for the rights and needs of sexual assault victims. 

 

PCAR partners with a network of rape crisis programs to bring help, hope and healing around issues of sexual violence to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

 

PCAR assures that communities have access to quality victim services and prevention education by providing funding, training, materials and assistance to rape crisis programs and resources and training on sexual assault-related issues to professionals across the Commonwealth. PCAR works with media and protections and services to victims of sexual violence, holds offenders accountable, and enhances community safety.   

 

To learn more about sexual violence or to locate rape crisis centers on PA, visit www.pcar.org or call 1-888-772-PCAR (7227).  

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National Sexual Violence Resource Center: 

Founded by PCAR in 2000, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center identifies, develops and disseminates resources regarding all aspects of sexual violence prevention and intervention. For information and resources on sexual violence and prevention, visit www.nsvrc.org. 

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Advocates for Youth: For information on a range of issues such as how to become an activist and peer leader, resources on heathy sexuality and sexual violence prevention, go to www.advocatesforyouth.org.​
 

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​1 in 6: 1 in 6 helps men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in childhood live healthier, happier lives. The organization provides information and support resources on the web and in the community. Visit http://1in6.org for more information. 

MaleSurvivor: MaleSurvivor is committed to preventing, healing, and eliminating all forms of sexual victimization of boys and men through support, treatment, research, education, advocacy, and activism. Visit www.malesurvivor.org to learn more.

Victims No Longer: The Classic Guide for Men Recovering from Sexual child Abuse: This book by Mike Lew examines the changing cultural activities toward male survivors of incest and other sexual trauma. The publication offers compassionate and practical advice to survivors. 

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Past sexual assault 

If you were sexually assaulted or raped in the past, this experience could still be affecting you and your health. Consider contacting your local rape crisis center for counseling and support. Go to www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html to learn more.

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Help is available 

To talk to someone at your local rape crisis center, call 1-888-772-7227 in Pennsylvania, or call the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) at 1-800-656-4673 from anywhere in the U.S.

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To make a report of suspected child abuse in Pennsylvania, call CHILDLINE at 1-800-932-0313 or call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 from anywhere in the U.S. to learn how to make a report in your states. You can also visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway at www.childwelfare.gov for more information. 

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