If there's immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency number when it's safe to do so.
If you're worried someone may access your device, use a safer device or private way to look for help when possible.
After the emergency
After something sudden happens.
Getting safe is one part. Your body and brain may need time after.
There's no perfect way to react after a sudden emergency.
You may feel calm, shaky, numb, angry, exhausted, tearful, confused, hyper-alert, embarrassed, relieved, or nothing at all.
You may replay what happened. You may feel like you should've done something differently. You may not remember everything clearly.
Those reactions can happen after a sudden emergency. They don't mean you did anything wrong.
Get checked if you need to
If you may be injured or exposed to danger, seek medical help when you can.
Contact someone
Let a trusted person know you're safe if you can.
Follow official instructions
Emergency personnel, workplace, school, venue, or local authorities may provide next steps.
Write down what you remember, if useful
If you may need details later, write down what you remember when you're ready. Don't pressure yourself to make it perfect.
Get support
You may want practical, emotional, workplace, school, legal, medical, or community support afterward.
Give yourself time
Your reaction may change over hours or days. You don't have to process everything at once.
If your situation involves ongoing control, abuse, stalking, or barriers that make leaving unsafe or difficult, visit: When leaving isn't simple.
Go to When leaving isn't simple