What steps should a victim of domestic abuse take to ensure their safety?

If you are a victim of domestic abuse in Vermont, you should take the necessary steps to ensure your safety. The first step is to reach out for help. If you need immediate assistance, you can contact the Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline in Vermont at 1-800-228-7395. You can also reach out to the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence for help in finding local advocates, who can provide resources and support. These advocates can also help you develop safety plans to ensure your safety, which may involve contacting police, filing for a restraining order, seeking legal aid, and creating safety plans. If you fear for your safety, you should also consider leaving your home and staying at a shelter that offers protection. Shelters also provide other forms of assistance such as counseling, legal aid, and housing assistance. In addition, it is important to document all instances of abuse. This may include taking pictures, recording audio of the incidents, or writing down the events as they occurred. Keeping a record of this type of abuse can be helpful when filing a legal complaint or seeking assistance from a lawyer. Finally, if the abuse is coming from an intimate partner, it is important to report the incidents to the police or to a domestic violence assistance program. The police can help enforce any restraining orders and make sure the abuser is held accountable for their actions. By taking these steps, victims of domestic abuse in Vermont can take steps to ensure their safety and get the help and legal protection they need.

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