If you are in immediate danger, call 911
Remember that you are not alone and have options available to you to receive the support you may need. At CSUCI, the Campus Advocate can help students, employees or others who claim to be victims of dating or domestic violence determine which options will best enhance safety and will work with each individual to devise a safety plan to address each unique situation and circumstance.
Safety Planning
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence recommends the following steps for Safety Planning:
If you are currently in the relationship:
- Plan ahead where you can go if the reported abuser shows signs of escalating.
- Make a list of safe people to contact (friends, relatives, attorney, and important persons/services). Have numbers for local domestic violence programs.
- Pack and have ready a bag or suitcase of essentials, including medications.
- Obtain and secure personal documents and information for you, and if you have children for them as well: birth certificates, driver’s license, social security cards, immunization records, passports, licenses, bank accounts, debit and credit cards, checkbooks, W-2s, paystubs, insurance cards and policies, school records, and clothing.
- Any documentation that you might have about the incident(s), including pictures, recordings, medical records, and police reports.
- Include cash if you can and any other valuable items that you do not want to leave behind. Keep in mind that large items like furniture might not be possible to hide.
- Find a safe place to hide these — with a friend, relative or another place the abuser cannot access.
If you are not currently in the relationship:
- Change your phone number and other contact information.
- Consider getting a restraining/protective order. Speak to an advocate and find out if that is a good option for you—every situation is different.
- Screen your calls.
- Save and document all contact including messages, injuries, or other incidents.
- Change your locks.
- Avoid being alone.
- Plan how to get away if confronted by the individual.
- If you have to meet do it in a public place.
- Vary your routine.
- If you have a restraining or protective order, always have a copy with you. Leave a copy at work. If you have children, leave a copy at your children’s school and every place your children might spend time (childcare center, grandparents, friends, etc.).
- Find out if there is a domestic violence response policy at your work place and ask questions if you do not understand how it works.
- Consider joining a support group at a local domestic violence program.
Supportive and Shelter Resources
Coalition for Family Harmony, 805-983-6014, 24-hr bilingual hotline 1-800-300-2181
The National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
National Dating Abuse Helpline, 1-866-331-9474
Reporting Resources
CSUCI Title IX Coordinator, 805-437-2077, titleix@csuci.edu
CSUCI Police Department, 805-437-8444 or 911
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence recommends the following steps when reporting:
- Speak clearly and give your location.
- After the police arrive and they have secured the area and taken your information, get the names and badge numbers of the officers you talked to. If they have business cards, get those.
- Ask questions about what is going to happen next.
- If there was an arrest, ask if they will notify you when the individual gets out of jail. Get the jail's phone number so you can find this out yourself too.
- If the individual is at large, ask if they are going to notify you when they is arrested.
- Ask if they can facilitate you going into a safe house.
- Ask if there is an advocate from the police department who will follow up with you and offer services and referrals.
- Ask if you are you required to appear in court for the arraignment. Some jurisdictions with fast-track domestic violence protocols require that you be present.
- Write down all information given to you by the officers. Ask for copies of any pictures they take or any reports of the incident.
Safety Measure Resources
Contact the Campus Advocate or Title IX Coordinator for assistance with accessing these resources or you may access them directly.
Temporary and Permanent Restraining Orders: Ventura County Government Center 800 S. Victoria Ave., Suite 314. Contact District Attorney Victim Advocates at 805-654-3622 for more information. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Stay-Away Orders: CSUCI Police Department 805-437-8444 or 911
CSUCI No-Contact Orders and room changes: Contact the Campus Advocate or Title IX Coordinator
CSUCI academic, housing, or other accommodations: Contact the Campus Advocate or Title IX Coordinator