Everyone has the right to be in a loving and nurturing relationship where they are treated as equals and given the respect they deserve. Because of this, leaving an abusive relationship is important, particularly those who have had to live in violent or fearful conditions.
Getting out of an abusive relationship definitely isn’t easy and there is no one way to go about this. After all, this requires careful planning and consideration to secure your safety and protection, especially if you’re living with your abuser.
If you’re in an abusive relationship and have had enough, you may realize there is a need to leave right away. Below are plans you should make to do safely do so.
The Nature of Abusive Relationships
Abusive relationships aren’t just manifested in physical hurt or battery by partners. This can also manifest in emotional or even mental torture and manipulation, and even sexual abuse. Abusers may also take control of your finances, threaten to harm your pets and family, among others.
The nature of abusive relationships centers on letting the abused party believe that they are at fault or that they deserve the actions being done to them. This is never the case and if you’re the aggravated one, remember that it is never your own fault.
Some signs that you are in an abusive relationship are possessiveness and overly controlling attitudes, jealousy, constant shaming, threatening, physical and sexual violence, accusations, emotional neglect and isolation, and many others.
Importance of Safely Leaving an Abusive Relationship
If you’re constantly second-guessing yourself and wondering if your relationship will ever change, chances are the abuse will only keep on happening again.
While this may be a bitter pill to swallow, staying in a negative environment can chip away your self-confidence and even your peace of mind.
No situation is ever the same, which is why it’s essential to make a safety plan for yourself and your current circumstance.
Having a plan in place allows you to keep yourself safe from the perpetrator. Below are some tips or suggestions for safely leaving an abusive relationship.
Make Sure to Hide Dangerous Weapons
Guns, knives, and other similar weapons that may be used to threaten your welfare should be hidden or at least rendered inaccessible, such as removing bullets, keeping on knife protectors, and the like.
Seek Out a Support System
Many people in abusive relationships are often cut out from friends and family, either by force or by embarrassment, especially when they are being observed or controlled by the perpetrator.
While you may feel like there’s no one to turn, there is actually a network of people willing to support you every step of the way. It’s important to find someone you trust, whether it’s a family member or a friend, and can confide into.
Alternatively, you can also reach out to health professionals such as a doctor, nurse, or even a lawyer. You can do the former two options if you’re going for an annual or semi-annual check-up and the latter if you can freely call outside of your home.
Talking with a professional, such as an attorney, will help you gain insight about your legal rights and how you can best plan your escape.
Make a safety plan.
Concocting an escape plan isn’t easy and there are various considerations to be made, so make sure to plan ahead. Keep the car filled with gas and facing the driveway and hide a spare key at all times so you can go at a moment’s notice.
Moreover, you should also keep a go-bag filled with cash, important documents, and clothing, which you can place with your trusted friend or family member. Memorize a list of emergency contacts if keeping a physical list is not possible.
You can also start saving some money in your own account and try practicing your escape plan. Time your escape plan if you can. In an emergency, however, call 911 or other protective services right away.
Conclusion
Leaving an abusive relationship isn’t easy. With these tips, you can safely plan out your escape and finally live your life free of fear.
