How to Safely Move out from a Domestic Violence Situation

If you are a victim of domestic violence, there are multiple things to consider before you can safely remove yourself from your current living situation.

Finding a moving company that can assist you in leaving an abusive household is incredibly helpful. But escaping domestic abuse can be greatly helped just by beginning to plan. Here are what experts say are important steps along a successful path to freedom.

First, know that you are not alone in your struggle. Every single day there is someone waiting for you to reach out.

Before you do anything, it’s useful to speak with a professional who can help you assess the situation and point you toward local resources. “Always, always, always contact your local shelter,” urges Dawn Ventura, Director of Marketing and Communications for Meathead Movers. “The resources that they offer are remarkable. And if there’s any way to call a domestic violence hotline, they are sure to help.”

You can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or texting “START” to 88788. Their website also has a live chat option. However, if you are in immediate danger, please call 911.

6 Tips for Planning a Path to Freedom from Domestic Violence

1. Start by literally glancing at a calendar.

Physically look at a calendar, and imagine by which day you could realistically remove yourself, essential items, and any children from your location. Some situations may require getting out of your home as soon as possible; but if you can help it, visualize the exit ahead of time.

Figure out the best times to pack up and leave, and where you already know you could stay once you’re out — even if it’s just temporary. Google nearby shelters and moving companies that may be able to help, even if you don’t plan on using them. Always explain your situation in private, and have a contingency plan in case your abuser shows up on move day.

2. Squirrel away some cash, if possible.

Though shelters and some moving companies provide their services for free, it’s still very helpful to have cash on hand when you move out. If possible, try to set up your own checking or savings account online or over the phone at a separate bank from your abuser so they can’t restrict access to the money.

3. Gather your important documents and items into one portable place.

Start making copies of documents such as birth certificates, Social Security cards, insurance cards, health records, and anything else you’ll need as you transition to a new home. If you have extra car keys, medications, clothes, or evidence of domestic abuse (e.g., photos, police records), be sure to set those aside too. Store these items in a private place until you need them.

4. Prearrange school release permissions for any children you have.

If you have kids you can’t personally pick up from school, change the release privileges to a trusted friend or family member, so your abuser can’t pick them up.

5. Keep your activity private, as you may be being spied on.

It’s not unusual for abusers to monitor activity or even spy on their victims, so you should be very careful about leaving behind any evidence of your planning.

Avoid using your home computer for research and visit the public library or a friend’s house instead. If you can, get your own, private cell phone, since there are many apps that allow partners to surveil your phone activity and accounts. Always turn off your Bluetooth and location services inside apps like Snapchat or Messenger, and close all tabs and clear all browsing history after searching for resources. Also, get rid of or “lose” any compromised cell phone if you fear it may be monitored, or do a factory reset. But make sure you have a handheld device ready to call for help if things become dangerous.

6. On move day, act quickly and confidently.

If you know of any weapons in the home, lock them away ahead of time if possible, just in case. Change the login settings and security questions to your online accounts and turn off the GPS in your car. Though it is not always easy, attempt to follow through with your plan with confidence.

These Movers Offer Free Services to Domestic Violence Victims 

Below is a non-exhaustive directory as a resource to help you or anyone you may know who is a victim. If you don’t see a company near where you live, search for movers in your area, or call a local company and ask if they have any connections or knowledge of a similar service.

Always Professional in Moving, Inc. (Gilbert, AZ)
Contact: 480-633-5555, [email protected]
Always Professional in Moving, Inc. is a family-owned and operated moving company in the Maricopa County of Arizona. They pledge to provide free moves to distressed victims in need of moving services in order to get away from domestic violence. Its owner, Bernadette Lavigne, is a victim of domestic violence and has made addressing the issue an important foundation of her company.

Aussie Moving (Santa Barbara, CA)
Contact: 805-273-8756, [email protected]
Aussie Moving provides full-service residential moving, as well as commercial moving and storage. The company pledges to provide free moving services to victims of domestic violence in coordination with a local shelter in Santa Barbara County.

Brown Box Movers (Denton, TX)
Contact: 972-953-MOVE (6683)
Located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, Brown Box Movers offers a variety of services, from residential moving, to move in/move out cleaning, to junk removal. The company pledged these services to help those experiencing domestic violence in the area.

College HUNKS Hauling Junk and Moving (Multiple Locations Across the US & 1 in Alberta, Canada)
Contact: 833-626-1326
Offers professional moving services in dozens of cities across the U.S. — began offering its services for free during the month of October 2020 (which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month) in response to news reports of increasing domestic violence during pandemic lockdowns. Within the past year, College HUNKS (Honest Uniformed Nice Knowledgeable Service) has helped move more than 400 victims of domestic violence across the U.S., all at no cost to the victims.

Einstein Moving Company, LLC (Austin, TX)
Contact: Choose a location and send a message
Einstein moving company has locations throughout Texas, including Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and more, and is able to complete statewide moves. The company pledges up to $2,000 per month worth of moving services to Safe Place in Austin.

Elite Moving Services (Newton, IA)
Contact: 641-275-9412, [email protected]
Elite Moving Services serves the entire state of Iowa. They pledged to offer three moves every month to domestic violence victims at no charge. Their free service includes the trailer, labor, and all moving equipment needed to move within 75 miles of the victim’s location.

Gentle Giant Moving Company (Somerville, MA)
Contact: (800) 442-6863
Gentle Giant is involved with several charities, including a strong alliance with charities involved with housing assistance and homeless prevention. Gentle Giant pledges to offer a free move to those in need of help getting out of a domestic violence situation.

Helping Hands Moving and Maids (Salt Lake City, UT)
Contact: (801) 562-0093 (Sandy), (801) 809-7800 (SLC), (801) 735-4144 (Provo) or send a message
You may recognize Helping Hands Moving and Maids from the show Extreme Makeover, or from its extensive charity work in Utah, as well as overseas. The company pledges its services to domestic violence victims in need.

Meathead Movers: Student Athlete Movers, (Multiple Locations, CA)
Contact: (866) 843-6328
They claim to be the largest independently owned moving company in the state – and they offer these services to domestic abuse victims, for free.
Meathead Movers is one of a growing number of moving companies committed to helping victims of domestic violence move out of their abusive households at no cost.

Moving at Ease (Scottsdale, AZ)
Contact: 602-357-7459 or send a message
Moving at Ease is a family business that tailors its moving services to senior citizens and their families. It can accommodate local and long-distance moves. The company pledges to volunteer its time and resources to help those in need in the Phoenix metro area.

Parks Moving & Storage (Bellefonte, PA)
Contact: (866) 790-1560 or send a message
Parks Moving & Storage is a fourth-generation, family-owned business with locations in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and State College, PA. It is a women-owned business, and the owner is also a victim of domestic violence. The company pledges to offer packing and moving services to victims and their affected family members who need them.

Veterans Moving America (Fort Worth, TX)
Contact: (817) 989-6362, [email protected]
VMA employs a 100% veteran workforce and self-identifies as a “values-based company”. It is partnered with SafeHaven to provide free services to victims of domestic violence.

Casey Bond is a reporter covering money, home, and living for Yahoo Finance, MSN, Business Insider, Forbes, and others. A longer version of this article originally appeared on HireAHelper.com – an online authority regarding moving costs, movehacks, how-to’s, real-life moving stories, and more. You can read the complete article here.