PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — An 18-year-old was shot and killed last week when he tried to intervene in a domestic violence incident in Roxborough. In times of crisis, it can be difficult for people suffering domestic abuse to know exactly what to do when they feel threatened.
When someone witnesses or suffers abuse and feels that they are in imminent danger, advocates stress that it’s important to call 911 for help.
“Get the address out. Are there children in the home? Are there weapons in the home? Ensure that [police] get the sense of urgency,” said Joanna Ortega-Cruz, executive director and president of Women Against Abuse.
Those suffering may be overwhelmed and unable to think clearly, but Ortega-Cruz said it’s important that they stay focused and give the 911 operator specifics — not just the address, but information about their current situation, like, “I’m not safe,” “I’m being threatened with a gun,” “I have a protection order,” or, “My partner’s here with a gun.”
“Any kind of those red flags that can indicate what are the police coming into,” she said. “Just keywords, because you’re not going to be able to put together a whole paragraph to think about it from that perspective.”
If the danger is constant but not immediate, Ortega-Cruz said the person should plan for a safe exit strategy.
“Are there other family members living in the household? Because they need to be part of the safety plan. We know that it’s all about power and control and if the individual who is perpetrating the abuse feels that they’re losing control, oftentimes, we see escalation of violence,” she noted.
Advocates say the most dangerous time for a person suffering domestic abuse is the time that they decide to leave. On average, it takes them seven attempts before they actually leave freely.
Philadelphia’s 24/7 hotline for domestic violence is 1-866-723-3014. The national hotline is 1-800-799-7233.
Individuals can file for a protection from abuse order at the Criminal Justice Center at 1301 Filbert St. at any time. It is open 24/7.