Domestic violence has become epidemic in our society.   Chances are that you know a woman who is being abused right now; perhaps you are that woman.          Too often, fear of retaliation prevents a victim of domestic violence from reporting the abuse. If you, or a woman you care about, are in an abusive relationship, there are affirmative steps you can take to help remedy the situation.           IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE PHYSICAL DANGER, CALL 911 .           Begin by making a plan to escape.  If you are already in an abusive relationship you probably already recognize that there is a risk in escaping.  If the abuser finds out about your plan they may react violently.  Planning ahead can minimize the risk that you will be caught.  Planning ahead will mean that you will be able to escape on a moment's notice.           You can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for suggestions and assistance with your escape plan.  If you are hearing impaired you should call 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).           As part of your escape plan you should consider preparing an Escape Kit.  Items in your kit might include the following:                   Money for cab fare and phone calls          A change of clothes          Important papers such as driver's license, passport, protection orders, separation agreements, birth certificates, address books and insurance information.          Extra house and car keys          Medications and copies of prescriptions          Checkbook and credit cards          Valuable jewelry           Hide your Escape Kit in your home or, better yet, leave it with a trusted family member or neighbor.  When planning for your escape be aware that phone numbers you might call in setting up your plan will show up on the monthly phone bill statement.  Even if you believe you will be gone by the time the next statement arrives, your abuser could use the phone numbers you called in an effort to track you down.  It is best to use a pay phone, or a trusted friend's phone, to make calls related to your escape plan.           If you do not have a safe place to escape to you should consider a Domestic Violence Shelter, also known as women's shelters.  These shelters will afford you some degree of protection; as well as help and advice in escaping from your abuser.  Domestic Violence Shelters often have facilities for both you and your children and provide for your basic survival needs.  Use the Domestic Violence Shelters link to locate a Shelter near you.   This website is for informational purposes only.  We do not provide counseling, crisis intervention or direct assistance in escaping domestic violence situations.  Please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline or your local domestic violence shelter for these services.