THREAD: Advice, resources & important distinctions I’ve learned since successfully escaping a forced marriage/religious cult. I’ll keep it brief and simple.

Here are the things you need: 1 week of clothing, toiletries, legal documents (passport, birth certificate, SSN) in a duffel bag. I also had my car’s title which is a legal document in US stating you’re the legal owner of a car. This is what it looks like.

You need legal documents to rent an apartment, secure employment, apply for a driver’s license, and apply for a passport. Also, you need the originals. Photocopies make you look suspicious. I couldn’t apply for a passport with only a photocopy. It’s illegal.

Do NOT take anything with you. Unless the car you’re driving is titled in your name ONLY, they can call the police and report it as stolen. I’ve worked with women who have felonies because their ex told police she “stole” his card. Do not allow them to ruin the rest of your life.

Here’s the hierarchy for prioritizing: 1) stable housing 2) healthcare 3) employment 4) transportation 5) food. Planned Parenthood has free/low-cost screenings, sign up for Medicaid & SNAP. You should budget around $2,000 for deposit.

Obviously, each of these affects the other. How will you keep a job without transportation? But some needs are easier to access than others. Housing is harder to find than food. Food banks are literally everywhere.

Here’s the order I did things: financed my own car > changed jobs > applied for Craigslist apartment > worked 60 hours/wk for 3+ years > moved cross-country. I left with $0 in my bank account. I knew if I worked hard enough, I could make it happen. It’s hard but not impossible.