Safety Planning

If you are scared for your life or fear the abuser will be violent to your or the children, call 911. Before another violent act takes place, make escape plans:

Identify a safe place where you can go and leave a bag of essential clothing, car keys, and essential papers and records there or with a trusted friend or relative.

Make a list of important telephone numbers (emergency phone numbers, friends, relatives, and/or colleagues) and keep a supply of coins or a charged up go-phone with you to make phone calls.

Talk about your safety plan with your children. You should have a signal that only you and your children know. They must understand that once the signal is given, they have to leave the house QUICKLY and that they must call police or ask a neighbor to call the police.

If your abuser has access to your cell phone account or computer, get a prepaid cell phone and recognize he/she may read your e-mail, messages and look at the web sites you have visited.

Important phone numbers for Tuolumne County:

• Emergency—Law Enforcement, Fire, Ambulance: 911
• Sheriff non-emergency number: 533-5815
• Sonora Police Department non-emergency number: 532-8143
• Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault 24 hour Crisis Line: 209- 533-3401 or 1-800-454-4766
• Behavioral Health 24 hour Crisis Line and Office: 533-7000