What is family violence?
- Family violence is when someone uses abusive behaviour to control and/or harm a member of their family, or someone with whom they have an an intimate relationship.
- It can be physical abuse, emotional abuse, as well as neglect carried out by family members or intimate partners.
- It can be intimate partner violence (domestic abuse), elder abuse, child abuse, etc.
What are some of the warning signs?
- Poor self-esteem.
- Nervous, anxious, change in behaviour and/or being distant.
- Person gaslights and/or blames individual.
- Person humiliates, criticises, yells at, and/or belittles the individual(s).
- Physical signs (such as bruises, wounds, burns, broken items/clothes, etc.)
- Person controls the individual’s (elder, partner, etc.) finances/takes from them.
How can I stay safe?
- Keep you and your family’s important documents (passports, social insurance numbers, bank cards, and keys) in one safe location so you can grab them quickly/in case of an emergency.
- Prepare an emergency bag with essentials (important documents (originals or photocopies), clothing, medication, money, etc.) that you can take, should you leave.
- Have a plan to get out of your house in case of an emergency.
- Be aware of/find safe places (transition housing) you and your family can stay.
- Consider sharing your safety plan with a trusted individual.
Resources/Phone Numbers…
In case of an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
- Adult Protection Services: 1-800-225-7225.
- Child Protection: Call 1-877-424-1177 between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm on weekdays; Call 1-866-922-2434 between 4:30 pm and 8:30 am on weekdays and weekends or holidays.
- Juniper House: 1-800-266-4087.
- Neighbours, Friends and Families (Abuse and Violence Support Line): 1-855-225-0220 (toll-free, 24/7).
- Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE): 1-833-577-7263.
- THANS 24 Hour Help-Line: 1-855-225-0220.
- THANS Website: thans.ca
