20 Ways to Protect Yourself

I shared last week, about developing a plan to leave a bad situation or relationship, but there are steps that need to be take in which to protect oneself.

Some of the things I learned and discovered during this times, which I hope will help anyone in need include:

1. Set up a post office box for mail
   

   open a post office box for correspondance

2. Do not provide a forwarding address if you do not want the person you are leaving to find you {the post office HAS to provide that information if they have it}. This means needing to contact any bills you may have.
3. Change your phone number and phone plan or get a pre-paid phone
4. Inform your employer and ask for them to be on the lookout for trouble and not allow this person to contact you
5. Find a place of safety to move to
6. Ask family and friends to help you be on the look out
7. Be cautious and proactive when going about your routine and business
8. File a restraining order {if necessary}
9. Set up a separate bank account
10. Leave with what you need {so you don’t have to go back}
    

    document events

11. Contact/Hire a lawyer for all communication
12. Have documented proof of whatever the issue is {abuse, cheating, etc.} for divorce and custody hearings
13. File a legal separation
14. Take time to heal
15. Become involved in counseling or a support group
16. Inform your work place of the situation and to be on the look out
17. Discover who you are and what you want from life
18. Don’t rush into another relationship
19. Change all online passwords
    

    be careful on social media

20. Be careful on social media
    1. Block the individual
    2. Delete or shut down the account
    3. Create a new account {if you so desire—but be careful in the name you use and friends you invite}
    4. Utilize your security features
    5. Don’t share information that give away your location or personal information

who is your stronghold?

It is important to protect yourself and the more severe the situation, the more important it is to put precautions in place to protect yourself.  I do not want to watch your story on Dateline or any other crime show.

Remember Nahum 1:7 says, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who trust in Him.”

God will provide and help you through this difficult time, but you also have to be willing to take care of yourself.

How do you protect yourself?