What can an Abused Woman do besides leave?

• Know your support people: people you feel safe with; who support what you want to do; who do not judge or criticize you – women’s shelters can offer this support.
  • Crisis Lines (905) 878-8555 and (905) 332-7892
  • Crisis Lines are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Staff will offer support, counselling and information in complete confidentiality over the phone or at our shelters. No appointment necessary.


• Find a supportive women’s group.


• Find a supportive counsellor.


• Consult a legal expert about your rights (women’s shelters have information about this).


• Become involved in community activities so you are not isolated and so you can gain self-confidence.


• Open a bank account in your own name (preferably a different bank from that of your partner). Request that the bank not send bank statements or any other information to your home – tell them you must pick these things up in person (because that is what is safest for you). Request that the bank record this information in your file. Try to save a little emergency money for yourself.


• Make a safety plan - plan an emergency exit. Know whom you can call and where you can go if you need to leave fast. Hide extra clothes, money, keys, copies of documents (e.g. bank accounts, marriage license, driver’s license, birth certificates and health cards for you and the children, immigration and citizenship papers, passports, etc.), important phone numbers, things for the children, etc. at a friend’s or safe person’s house.


• Make a safety plan with your children for your children.
  • Children need to protect themselves and NOT try to stop the fighting
  • Children need to RUN to their safe place. They need to know where their safe place is.
  • Children can call 911.
    • An operator will answer “Police, Fire, Ambulance”.
    • Child says “Police!
    • My name is __________.
    • I am ___ years old.
    • I need help. Someone is hurting my mom.
    • The address here is __________.
    • The phone number here is __________.”
    • DON’T HANG UP!


• Ask your doctor/hospital to document your injuries and how you got them.


• Ask your neighbours to call the police if they hear a fight.


• Try to involve yourself and your partner with family and friends who do not use violence in their arguments.


• Take a part-time job outside the home.


• Upgrade your education or skills with part-time or correspondence courses.


• Know that you are not to blame for the abuse and that you are a strong woman.

Last updated July 9, 2009