Part 5 of 5
If Things Escalate Fast
Permission and priorities when there's no time for the plan
Absolute clarity that leaving with nothing is always allowed, plus a triage list
0 of 1 step
When there isn't time
If there's no time to follow the plan, this is the order of what matters: yourself, your children, your phone, your ID if it's within reach. Everything else can be replaced.
One thing that can matter later
If you safely can, save evidence of threats before leaving
Texts, photos of injuries, voicemails — stored somewhere he can't access, like the private email account from your Digital Safety Check. This can matter later; the legal resources in your Resources tab explain how, for your state.
State-specific legal information: WomensLaw.org, your state coalition, and free legal aid — all in your Resources tab.
An injunction for protection (sometimes called a restraining order) is filed with the Clerk of Court. There is no filing fee for a domestic violence injunction, and the clerk's office will help you fill out the forms. You can file even if you have already left home.
WomensLaw.org
Plain-language legal information for every state — protective orders, custody, and what the process is actually called where you live.
Not re-checked recently
5 of 5 · your ticks are saved on this device