How to Move Past an Abusive Relationship

Six Parts:Assuring Your SafetyRecognizing the Abuse in Your Former RelationshipBuilding a Network of SupportTaking Care of Practical MattersReconnecting with YourselfEntering Into a New RelationshipCommunity Q&A

You’ve made the decision to leave an abusive relationship, and you’ve actually accomplished that. Congratulations! Now you are ready to move forward. There are certain steps to take to ensure that you heal and grow stronger. Learn how to assure your safety, learn about yourself, take care of practical matters, and enter into new relationships.
Assuring Your Safety



Get help if you feel at risk. When you are leaving an abusive relationship, you may be in danger. Safety might continue to be an issue even after you’ve left the relationship. If you feel in danger, get help immediately.
Call 911. If your partner is threatening or stalking you, you can call 911 to get help. Calling 911 can ensure that you and your kids will be able to get to safety. The police might arrest your partner.


  Find a safe shelter. Get familiar with places that you can go to be safe. Make a list of all the places you can go. Think of friends or family who are not familiar to your partner. Find a local safehouse. Safehouses are usually maintained by nonprofit organizations. They have a secret location and are usually accessible 24 hours a day, so if you have to sneak away while your partner is sleeping, you can. They can help you coordinate with government social services to get benefits to get you started, they can help you with a court order of protection and with prosecution, and many offer counseling services.