ACCESS:

• If you are concerned for your children's safety on access visits, you can temporarily deny access. You have to notify the Family Court that you are going to deny access and write to the other parent saying that you are not going to comply with the custody order. For more information contact the Central Highlands Community Legal Centre on (03) 53 315 999 or the Women's Legal Resource Group on (03) 9642 0343 or 1800 133 302, or your lawyer for information on access and legal aid. Also, all contracts made with the Child Support Agency, such as repayments, are all strictly confidential, with neither person's personal details (address, phone number) shown on any documents.

ACCOMMODATION:

• If you have been living in joint accommodation, arrange to have your name taken off the lease, including Department of Human Services (Office of Housing), so that you are not liable for rent.
• If you are leaving your own house, you can arrange to continue making mortgage payments so that you don't lose the property.
• If you are renting from the Office of Housing, you can keep paying rent so that you don't lose the flat or house and so that you can apply for a transfer or a priority transfer.

ANlMALS/PETS:

• Leave them behind.
• Hand them in to RSPCA.
• Only keep a dog if it will react as a guard dog when it sees the abuser.
  This is no time to put your life in danger for an animal.

APPOINTMENTS:

• Avoid regular appointments that your partner may know of.
• Let doctors, lawyers, counsellors, dentists etc., know the importance of maintaining your security. They may be able to arrange off street parking so that you are less visible, and ask them to inform the receptionist not to allow any information about you to be leaked out.
• Change your name and address with those appointments above, and use a P.O.Box.