Wyoming Domestic Violence Help Guide & Quick Safety Tools

Immediate domestic violence help in Wyoming with rural-specific safety actions and emergency planning.

Wyoming Domestic Violence Safety Toolkit

1. Wyoming-Specific Considerations

Wyoming has large rural areas and long distances between services. This can affect privacy, transportation, and how fast help is available.

• Many people know each other in small towns, including law enforcement, medical staff, or shelter workers.
• Road closures, winter weather, and lack of public transportation can limit options.
• Cell service and internet access may be weak or unreliable in some areas.
• Firearms, hunting gear, and tools are common and may be present in the home.
• Ranches, energy work sites, and seasonal jobs may mean unpredictable schedules and locations.

2. Rural Domestic Violence Challenges in Wyoming

2.1 Privacy and Community Ties

• Community members may notice vehicles, visitors, or trips out of town.
• It may be hard to visit a shelter, clinic, or courthouse without being seen.
• Shared social circles can include law enforcement, clergy, or medical staff.
• Rumors and word-of-mouth can travel quickly.

2.2 Transportation and Distance

• Long drives to shelters, hospitals, or courts.
• Limited or no public transit in many counties.
• Weather-related road closures and unsafe driving conditions.
• Shared vehicles, or vehicles titled in the other person’s name.

2.3 Housing and Work

• Employer-owned housing or ranch housing tied to one person’s job.
• Limited rental options or long waitlists, especially in boom areas.
• Concerns about being recognized by landlords, employers, or neighbors.
• Work schedules shaped by energy, agriculture, or tourism seasons.

2.4 Firearms, Tools, and Isolated Property

• Common access to firearms (hunting rifles, handguns) and ammunition.
• Large properties where neighbors cannot easily hear or see what is happening.
• Work tools (ropes, heavy equipment, vehicles) that could be misused.
• Animals (livestock, working dogs) that may be used for pressure or threats.

2.5 Technology Gaps

• Limited or no cell coverage in some areas.
• Shared computers or shared Wi‑Fi in employer or family housing.
• Reliance on radio, local bulletin boards, or post offices for information.

3. Quick Leaving Plan (Wyoming-Focused)

This section outlines a basic “quick leaving” plan that can be adjusted for different Wyoming locations and living situations.

3.1 Decide Possible Safe Destinations

• List at least 2–3 possible places:
  • Friend or family member in another town or county
  • Domestic violence shelter or safe home program
  • Hotel/motel along a major highway or in a nearby city
  • Trusted coworker, neighbor, or faith contact
• Note:
  • Approximate drive time in good weather
  • Alternate routes if main roads are closed
  • Options if you do not have a vehicle or license

3.2 Transportation Options

• Identify which vehicles you may safely use (car, truck, ranch vehicle).
• Keep keys in a known, quickly reachable place, if safe to do so.
• Consider:
  • Neighbor or coworker who might provide a ride if asked in advance
  • Taxi or rideshare if available in your nearest town
  • Bus routes or intercity services (where they exist)
• Plan for weather:
  • Check typical winter closure points on your main highways.
  • Think about a backup destination if the closest town is unreachable.

3.3 What to Take if Time Is Short

If there are only a few minutes, options may include:

• Identification:
  • Driver’s license or state ID
  • Tribal ID, immigration documents (if any)
  • Birth certificates or Social Security cards (for you and children)
• Money and access:
  • Cash, if available
  • Debit/credit cards you can lawfully use
  • Prepaid card or gift cards
• Essential items:
  • Prescription medications and glasses
  • Phone and charger (or basic prepaid phone)
  • Keys (home, vehicle, work, PO Box)
  • One change of clothes and basic hygiene items, if possible
• Important information (paper or photo):
  • Insurance cards (health, auto)
  • Pay stubs or benefit letters
  • Photos of important documents stored in a secure app or email

3.4 If You Have a Little More Time

• Pack:
  • Children’s items (favorite comfort item, school records, medication)
  • Pet supplies (leash, food, vaccination record) if you plan to bring them
  • Work documents or tools you legally own and need for income
• Prepare:
  • Fill gas tank when possible; keep it above half if safe.
  • Store a small “go bag” in a trunk, shed, or trusted person’s home.
  • Write key phone numbers on paper in case your phone is lost or damaged.

3.5 Planning Around Firearms and Tools

If there are firearms or other weapons in the home or vehicle, consider:

• Where firearms, ammunition, and keys/combinations are kept.
• Times when firearms are less likely to be carried or displayed.
• Routes out of the home that avoid locations where weapons are stored.
• Whether it is safer to leave certain items behind to avoid confrontation.

3.6 Communication After Leaving

• Use a phone or number the other person does not control, if possible.
• Update contact information only with people who understand safety concerns.
• Consider using a PO Box or trusted mailing address in another town.
• Ask any new landlord, employer, or school not to share your location without your permission, if they are willing.

4. Digital Privacy Basics

Many people in Wyoming share devices, internet, and phone plans. The other person may see calls, messages, or locations.

4.1 Devices and Accounts

• List which devices you use:
  • Smartphone(s)
  • Computer, laptop, or tablet
  • Shared work or school devices
• Check which accounts are shared or known:
  • Email addresses
  • Cloud backups (Apple ID, Google, etc.)
  • Social media accounts
  • Online banking or shopping accounts

4.2 Location Tracking

Location data can come from several sources.

• Phone settings:
  • Location services and “Find My” or similar tracking apps
  • Family-sharing plans that show locations
• Car and equipment:
  • GPS devices in vehicles, trailers, or equipment
  • Navigation systems tied to an online account
• Apps:
  • Social media check-ins and tagged locations
  • Photo apps that store GPS location in images
  • Fitness or outdoor apps that track routes and share them

Options to consider:

• Turn off location sharing in apps or accounts the other person can see, if it feels safe to change settings.
• Log in from a safe device to review account permissions and connected devices.
• Use a separate “safe” device or new account that is not shared, if possible.

4.3 Shared Phones and Family Plans

• Phone account holders can often see:
  • Call logs and text metadata
  • Data usage and sometimes location features
• If the other person is the account holder:
  • They may change your plan, suspend service, or review logs.
  • They may receive alerts when settings are changed or new devices are added.
• Possible steps:
  • Use Wi‑Fi calling or web-based messaging from a separate account.
  • Consider a low-cost prepaid phone that is stored safely.
  • Avoid searching for sensitive topics from a device or network they monitor.

4.4 Computers and Browsing

• Assume work, school, or library computers may be monitored or logged.
• Use “private” or “incognito” windows where available, understanding that:
  • They hide some history on the device itself.
  • They do not hide activity from network administrators or service providers.
• Consider:
  • Using computers at libraries, community centers, or trusted locations.
  • Signing out of accounts after each use.
  • Not saving passwords on shared or public computers.

4.5 Apps, Monitoring, and Spyware Concerns

• Watch for:
  • New apps on your phone you did not install
  • Battery draining unusually fast
  • Data or text plan use that seems higher than normal
• If you suspect monitoring:
  • Consider using a different device for sensitive calls or searches.
  • Be cautious about suddenly removing apps or changing passwords, if it may cause conflict.
  • Keep any concerning texts, screenshots, or photos in a safe place as potential documentation.

4.6 Safer Communication Options

• Use:
  • A separate email address for safety planning and important accounts.
  • Strong, unique passwords and, where safe, two-factor authentication.
  • Messaging apps that allow disappearing messages, if that aligns with your needs.
• Store key contacts under neutral names if that feels safer.
• Keep a small paper list of important numbers in case you lose access to your phone.

5. Information, Documentation, and Support Options

5.1 Collecting and Storing Information

• Keep, if safe to do so:
  • Photos of injuries or property damage (without graphic detail)
  • Copies of threatening messages or voicemails
  • Notes of dates, times, and locations of concerning incidents
• Store information:
  • In a secure cloud account with a password only you know
  • On a small flash drive kept in a trusted place
  • Printed and stored outside the home, if possible

5.2 Working with Local Services

Wyoming has a mix of county, tribal, and regional services. Options may include:

• Local domestic violence or sexual assault advocacy programs
• Legal aid organizations or self-help court centers
• County health departments or clinics
• Tribal services where available
• Faith-based or community organizations that understand privacy concerns

Many statewide and national listings for shelters, legal aid, and other services are compiled on broader resource directories, including those linked through DV.Support.

5.3 Questions to Ask Any Program

• What information do you record, and who can see it?
• How do you handle confidentiality in small communities?
• Can you help with transportation or remote services (phone, video, online)?
• Do you have any connections for pet boarding or foster options?
• Are there language, disability, or cultural supports available?

6. Personal Safety Worksheets (Optional Prompts)

You can adapt these prompts on paper or in a secure note.

6.1 My Rural Safety Snapshot

• Nearest town(s) and distance by road
• Typical road or weather issues in my area
• Neighbors or coworkers I might trust
• Places I regularly go where I might safely ask for help (clinic, store, feed supply, church, etc.)

6.2 My Quick Leaving Plan – One-Page Summary

• Primary safe place I would try first
• Backup place if the first option is not available
• How I would get there (vehicle, driver, route, time of day)
• Top 5 items I would prioritize bringing
• People I would inform after I am in a safer place (if any)

6.3 My Digital Privacy Checklist

• Devices I use that might be shared or monitored
• Accounts I may want to change passwords for
• Apps or features that share my location
• Contacts I should update with a safer phone or email
• Where I will safely store important digital information

Recommended Articles

• Safety Planning Checklist
• Gathering Evidence
• Leaving Quickly: Safety Planning Steps
• Digital Safety and Tech Abuse
• Safety Planning in Rural Areas