Escape Kit
If you are planning to leave, it is important that you put together as many of the following items as possible in an Escape Kit, and put it somewhere safe but accessible-NOT in your home.

Daily Necessities

• Money: cash and coins, enough for transportation, food and lodging for a few days. Your abuser will be able to trace you through a credit card and may close/empty bank accounts before you can get to them or may be waiting for you at the bank.
• Credit cards, bank books, check books, safety deposit box key
• Medications and prescriptions
• Address books/calendars/appointment books
• Keys: house, car, office, garage, cabin, boat, motorcycle, etc.
• Children's favorite toys, blankets
• Extra clothing for you and your children for all types of weather
• Infant formula, diapers, etc.
• Food
• Important telephone numbers-police, friends, hotline, shelter
• Important addresses and directions (to local police department, to hospital emergency room)
• Telephone calling cards

Important Paperwork (originals or photocopies)

• Identification for you and your children (vital) - especially birth certificates, passports, green cards/alien registration/work permits/Visas, driver's licenses and car registration, social security cards, school ID cards
• Insurance papers (Car & Health)
• Welfare papers (GR, MediCal, SSI, Food Stamps, CalWORKS GAIN, AFDC, social security)
• Legal papers-marriage license, adoption papers or Court Order pertaining to custody of children, divorce decrees, police complaints, restraining order, income tax returns, school records, professional licenses, diplomas, etc.
• Medical records: especially immunization records for children, dental records, clinic cards
• Lease/rental agreement or house deed & mortgage payment book
• Current unpaid bills/copies of monthly bills
• Receipts: personal property (furniture, cameras, etc), pawn tickets, laundry & dry cleaning claims
• Pay stubs
• Animal vaccination records & veterinarian's contact information
• Membership cards (trade unions, shopping cooperatives, library, discount, etc)

Valuables/Items of Sentimental Value

• Jewelry
• Pictures/family albums & other items of sentimental value
• Small sellable items (TVs, cameras, radios, art, etc.)