Safety Plan
During a crisis, it can be hard to think straight or make the best decisions; abusers exploit this to keep their victims under their control. Women (and their children) who have reason to expect a violent or abusive event should make a Safety Plan. Safety Plans forms are available at the following sites: www.mass.gov/mova/page87.html, www.janedoe.org/safety.htm
The Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence also provides an important checklist for women to consider: www.acadv.org/safety.html
A Safety Plan for children is available here: www.acadv.org/childplan.html
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence has suggestions for a safety plan, as well as guidelines for workplace and Internet safety measures: www.ncadv.org/protectyourself/SafetyPlan_130.html
What to do if sexual assault occurs
Whether it is you or someone close to you who is the victim of sexual assault, there are important steps to take to help victims, as well as help bring perpetrators to justice. The Rape, Assault & Incest National Network (RAINN) has several suggestions: www.rainn.org/what-should-i-do.
Other resources can be found at the Office on Violence Against Women: www.usdoj.gov/ovw/SexAssaultInfo.htm, and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape: www.pcar.org.
What constitutes domestic violence or sexual assault?
One factor contributing to the pervasiveness of domestic violence and sexual assault is a lack of understanding about what behavior falls into these categories. This is especially true among young people, who may lack the perspective to know what is “not getting along” and what is simply not allowed. It may also be true for batterers unable to recognize the extremity of their behavior.
Jane Doe, Inc. provides excellent guidelines on their website: www.janedoe.org/know.htm
Teen dating/relationship violence
Battering or abusive behavior is not limited to couples who share living quarters. In fact, the effects of dating/relationship violence are completely real and may contribute to the likelihood a young person becomes de-sensitized to abusive relationships as they mature.
The Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV) provides valuable guidelines for young people: www.acadv.org/dating.html
The signs of domestic violence or sexual assault
The shame and humiliation victims often feel is an overwhelming barrier to them seeking help or support. Although there are no universal truths about how a victim will react, ACADV provides some valuable guidelines:
Signs among women: www.acadv.org/friends.html
Signs among children, including age-specific indications: www.acadv.org/children.html
The scope of the problem in Massachusetts
Jane Doe, Inc. has compiled links to dozens of Commonwealth of Massachusetts official documents that record the extent of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other related crimes. Click the link below and then choose “Research and Statistics” from the left-hand navigation: www.janedoe.org/know.htm
The federal Office for Victims of Crime also provides comprehensive information on the national scope of crimes against women and children: www.ovc.gov/researchandstatistics.htm