Know our Helpline: 1-800-339-3940

If you experience sexual assault or rape:

● Go to a safe place.

● Call for help.  Your call to CPAF is confidential and you can be anonymous.  You have the right to get help regardless of immigration status. You have the right to receive legal and medical services in the language you speak.

● Get medical help as soon as possible to check for injuries and prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

● Think about if you want to file a police report.  You can do this as soon as you are ready. 

● If you’re considering making a police report, it helps to preserve evidence of the assault.  If possible, do not bathe, do not brush your teeth, do not drink, do not change your clothes, and do not go to the bathroom until you complete a forensic exam.

If you experience domestic violence:

● If you are in immediate danger or injured, call 911. 

● Pack a bag with spare house and car keys, money and basic necessities.

● Have a safe place to go that is open 24 hours, such as a police/fire station or a hospital.

● Tell your children the safety plan so they can contact neighbors or the police in an emergency.

● Keep important documents with you, such as:

• State I.D./Driver’s License

• Social Security Card

• Green Cards/Passports

• Birth Certificates

• Marriage Certificate

• Car Registration

• Immunization Records

• School Records

● Know as much information about your abusive partner as possible (including full name, date of birth, etc.).

• Consider safety first: getting rid of a compromised device or refusing to answer calls may increase suspicion or cause an escalation of dangerous behavior. It may be necessary to continue using the devices, while formulating alternative methods to communicate and move about safely.

• When researching information/resources online: make note of the ESCAPE button available on many DV-centered websites. Learn to clear your browsing and search history or locate a safe computer; many libraries offer computers for public use.

• Choose passwords and password hints/security questions wisely. Keep in mind that a current/former partner will likely know your answers to common security questions or frequently-used password combinations, such as: birthdates, nicknames, favorite band, mother’s maiden name, pet names, etc. Consider creating false answers to set security questions.

• Lock your cell phone and tablet, and do not leave portable devices unattended. Consider obtaining a pre-paid phone if your partner monitors your primary phone.

• If your cell phone is part of a family plan with your partner: obtain a safe phone or strategize access to a phone where you can make calls safely. Be mindful that your partner can access your shared account and check the call history.

• Learn how to block calls from specific numbers or unknown numbers (instructions vary for Apple, Android, etc.)

• Know how to turn off Location and Bluetooth settings, and disable geotags on your camera phone. Be strategic about cloud storage, and any data that automatically backs up to the cloud.

• Monitor your children’s devices: abusive partners may “gift” children with iPhones or tablets, preloaded with software to track or spy on survivors.

• For short periods of time, all communication from a phone can be cut off by putting the phone on airplane mode, or turning the phone off and taking out the battery. During this time, the phone’s location will not be broadcast. However, when the phone is back on, all communications will continue and location information may be shared again.

• GPS tracking devices can be purchased readily via online stores. If your partner is unexpectedly showing up and “running into you” around town, or seems to know too much about your day-to-day commute: check the car for tracking devices. Take the car to the police station or trusted auto mechanic.