What if I am being abused?

Make sure you and your children are physically safe. Some safety tips to consider for your safety plan:
  1. Practice how to get out of your home safely;
  2. Have a bag packed ready;
  3. Make up a code word to use with your children, family, friends, and neighbours when you need the police;
  4. Always try to take your children with you or make arrangements to leave them with someone safe;
  5. Inform your children’s school or day care about who has permission to pick up your children;
  6. Open a savings account in your name to start to establish or increase your independence;
  7. Have copies of important documents (ex. Birth Certificates, Health cards for you and your children, SIN, immigration papers, or other legal papers such as custody papers) in a safety deposit box or with a friend;
  8. If you have pets, consider safety options for them;
  9. Look at options for safety – Women’s Shelter, a friend, family, neighbour, motel, etc.
  10. Know that you are not responsible for the abuse;
  11. Understand that the abuse and violence are not likely to stop without intervention.
  12. Talk to someone you trust about what is going on – secrecy gives abuse more power.
  13. Care for yourself – anything that you can do to enhance your physical or psychological health will assist you to get through the difficult times
  14. Spend time with healthy people. Even if they cannot help you directly