• Practice how to get out of the house safely. Which door, elevators, stairwells or fire escapes can be used?
• Decide where to go if you have to leave home.
• Prepare an overnight bag. Keep it in a readily accessible place. In addition to clothes, include in it:
  • Money, checkbook, credit and debit cards, ATM cards
  • Driver’s license and registration, social security cards, birth certificates
  • Public Aid cards, green card, passports, work permits
  • Order of Protection, divorce papers
  • Medications, medical and vaccination records
  • Lease, rental agreement, house deed
  • Keys to house, car, and work
  • Insurance information
  • Address book
• Leave a set of keys and copies of important documents with a neighbor or trusted friend in case you need to leave quickly and your bag is not accessible.
• Tell a neighbor about the abuse and ask them to call the police if they hear any suspicious noises coming from the house.
• Develop a code word with the children and friends to signal them to call the police.
• Teach these strategies to the children.

• Move to a room that is lowest risk with easy access to an exit. Stay away from enclosed spaces near any weapons, such as the bathroom, kitchen or garage.
• Get away. Go to a friend’s or relative’s house.
• Call 911. They are required to provide or arrange transportation to a hospital or safe place for you.
• Call for help. Scream loudly and continuously.

• Get medical attention immediately. Tell the doctor or nurse what happened. Ask them to take pictures of your injuries.
• Save evidence, including medical records, police reports, dated photos of your injuries or the house in disarray, torn clothing and any weapons used.
• Call Family Shelter Service of Metropolitan Family Services DuPage’s 24 hour hotline at 630-469-5650 for support and services.

Available 24 hours

For clients as well as walk-ins

Tuesdays 12 – 2 p.m.
605 E. Roosevelt Wheaton, IL (English & Spanish)

Thursdays 12 – 2 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
7300 Main St., Downers Grove, IL (English & Spanish)

Walk-in services are provided for approximately 20 minutes and include support, immediate case management needs, community resources and referrals and assistance with filling out FSS of MFSD forms. Offered for both existing and prospective clients.

DuPage County Government Complex
505 N. County Farm Road (third floor directly across from the escalators)
Wheaton, IL 60187
630-407-8813

Office Hours:
Mon.-Fri.: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
(court is in recess 12 – 1:30 p.m.)

DuPage County Government Complex
501 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187
Non-Emergency: 630-682-7256
Emergency: 911

Mutual Ground
418 Oak Avenue, Aurora 630-897-0084

South Suburban Family Shelter
18137 Harwood Ave, Homewood, IL 60430
708-794-2140

WINGS Program
5104 Tollview Dr b, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
847-519-7820

DuPage County Legal Aid
126 County Farm Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone: 630-653-6212