Housing Stabilization and Economic Advocacy and Support

Housing stabilization and economic advocacy, and support are provided. Assist with accessing housing assistance programs, locating affordable housing, budget advocacy and support. SSRAC also has limited housing stabilization funds to assist survivors with bill or rental payments. SSRAC seeks funding to provide financial assistance and intervention services for survivors who may face homelessness due to financial constraints or an inability to pay utilities, car payments, auto insurance, and/or registration with financial abuse acting as a component of ongoing violence.

Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship

• Is extremely jealous/possessive and checks in on you constantly
• Tries to control you by making all of the decisions and believes that only one person should be in control in the relationship
• Does not want you to have friends or to socialize without being present
• Tells you how to dress and what to wear
• Calls you names and puts you down
• Always accuses you of being unfaithful
• Frightens you by driving recklessly, throwing things, or getting in your face during arguments
• Threatens to harm you, your family, friends, pets and/or self
• Pressures you for sex or thinks of you as a sex object
• Blames you when they mistreat you. Says you provoked them, pressed their buttons, or made them do it
• Has a history of bad relationships and blames the former partner/s for everything

Safety When Preparing to Leave

Remember- leaving can be a dangerous time. Batterers can become upset and more dangerous when they believe that you are leaving the relationship.

• If you choose to leave your partner, make a safety plan
• Consult with an advocate from a local domestic violence program who can inform you of your rights and options
• Choose a safe place to go. Choose people who might help you when you leave
• Leave money, extra keys, copies of important documents, and clothes with someone you trust
• Purchase a calling card or get a 911 phone from a local domestic violence program
• Open a savings account in your name and have the statements sent to a relative or friend

If the batterer has access to weapons, has threatened homicide and/or suicide, has stalked you, and/or abuses drugs or alcohol, you may be in severe danger

Safety in the Moment

You cannot always avoid a violent incident, so create a safety plan.

• Determine who you would call for help in a violent situation. Make note of friends’, relatives’, neighbors’, police, and hotline numbers
• Memorize emergency phone numbers or keep them on small cards in a safe place
• If the abuser has a key to your house or apartment, change or add locks on your doors and windows as soon as possible
• Practice getting out of your home safely. Identify which doors, windows, elevators, or stairs would be best
• Avoid rooms with no exits, like a bathroom, and rooms with potential weapons, like the kitchen
• Decide and plan where you will go if you leave your home in an emergency situation
• Have a packed bag ready, and keep it in a secret but accessible place, so you can leave quickly (see checklist)
• Identify a neighbor, family member, or friend you can tell about the violence and ask the individual to call the police if they hear a disturbance coming from your home. Create a signal for them to call the police, such as if a certain light is on, a shade is pulled down, and/or a code word is heard
• Get medical attention if you are hurt in any way
• Speak with an advocate from the local domestic violence program, who can inform you of your rights and options

Safety with Children

• Teach children not to get in the middle of a fight- even if they think they are helping
• When children are old enough, practice calling 911 and teach them a safe place to go during a violent incident
• Inform your children’s daycare or school about who has permission to pick-up your children
• Talk to your children about who they can trust
• Discuss safety strategies with children, who have unsupervised visits with the abuser