If the person hurting you suspects you are thinking about leaving you may be in danger so please consider your safety at all times.
There are lots of things to consider before you leave when you have children.
Before you leave
- Don’t discuss your plans with your children (they may accidentally tell your abuser about them, or may be forced to tell).
- Consider whether it will be appropriate for your children to continue having contact with your abuser after you have left and on what basis (ie supervised contact or at a neutral location).
After you have left
- As soon as you have left, tell your children’s school(s) that there is a change of circumstances at home.
- If necessary, tell school that they should not give your new address to anyone, particularly the abuser.
- Think about changing to an alternative GP practice.
- Think about changing to an alternative dental practice.
- Ask your children’s best friends’ parents not to tell anyone your new address.
- In time, think about getting some emotional help for your children. You can ask your doctor about this.
Discuss with your children, in language they will understand, why you have left and taken them with you, how it will affect them and that it’s not their fault.
