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RESOURCES

If you are in immediate danger immediate danger, call 911.

If you are not in immediate danger, you can contact VictimLinkBC at 1.800.563.0808.
You can ask to speak to someone in French.
VictimLinkBC is a free, confidential, multilingual service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is an information and support service for victims of violence.

Services in French


Women facing violence in British Columbia can now call us at 604-653-8213, Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm.

Cécile Bruyninckx, our speaker against violence against women, will listen to you with kindness and without judgment.

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Shelters

For information on shelters you can consult the resources of Women's Shelter for British Columbia.
Access to Women's Shelter for BC

French accompaniment service

You can also consult La Boussole, for an accompaniment service in French (in Vancouver only).
Access to La Boussole

Legal services in French

For legal services in French, you can contact the legal consultation service free of charge for 30 minutes by completing the form available on their website. The Association des juristes d'expression française de la Colombie-Britannique(AJEFCB) promotes access to justice in French in British Columbia.
Access the AJEFCB website

BWSS - Battered Women Support Services - is a specialist intimate partner violence service. You can reach the BWSS hotline at
1-855-687-1868 for emotional and legal support. This service is free and available 24/7 in English only .

WAVAW is a specialised service on sexual violence. You can reach the WAVAW helpline at 1-877-392-7583 for emotional, legal and hospital support. This service is free and available 24/7, only in English.

Emergency plan 

Preparing a safety plan can help you protect yourself from your abusive partner.

A safety plan helps you to :

  • collect practical information

  • to think about safety strategies

  • find resources to get help when you need it

It is important to have a plan, whether or not you decide to leave your partner. Your plan will keep you safer if it is tailored to your own needs and concerns, such as
  • your financial situation
  • your location (urban / rural)
  • the cultural context

  • your immigration status

  • a mental or physical disability

  • substance use (drugs/alcohol)

  • your psychological and emotional well-being

Your individual safety plan can help you find the support you need to deal with your situation. 

  • Plan your emergency exits. Rehearse the steps you will take if you are in danger and need to get out suddenly.
  • Find the safest place in the house, such as near an exit, if you expect a violent situation with your partner.
  • Keep cooking utensils, knives and tools out of reach.
  • Tell neighbours to call the police if they hear loud or scary noises, or see anything suspicious.
  • Learn more about emergency and support services in your community, such as police, shelters and transition houses. Call VictimLINK to connect to support services.
  • Protect yourself when using computers, mobile phones and other mobile devices:
    •  Check your privacy and security settings.
    • Clear your browsing history.
    • Change all your online login passwords.
    • Disable GPS location information to avoid being tracked.

For help with these steps, contact VictimLINK.

Getting ready to go

  • Think about where you can go. Choose a safe place where your abusive partner will not look for you.
  • Do not tell your partner that you are planning to leave.
  • Keep a diary of the abuse and evidence, such as pictures, threatening emails, medical records and police reports.
  • Plan how to keep your animals safe.
  • Find out about access to an interpreter who speaks your language.
  • Put money in a safe place, little by little.
  • Prepare a bag with the following things and leave it in a safe place (e.g. with a trusted friend):

‣ an extra set of house and car keys,

‣ additional clothing,

‣ glasses or contact lenses,

‣ toiletries,

‣ of medicines and prescriptions,

‣ photos of family members, and any sentimental elements.

  • Keep your phone charged and a full tank in your car.
  • Gather the following important items and keep them in a safe place, such as a bank, a safe deposit box or with a trusted friend:

‣ birth certificate and identity card;

‣ SIN card, passport, immigration papers, and status card;

‣ BC Services / careCard;

‣ driving licence, registration and insurance papers;

‣ court orders;

‣ work permit;

‣ bank and credit cards;

‣ bank books and account numbers, cheque book and investment papers;

‣ marriage certificate;

‣ rental agreement or house deed and mortgage documents and insurance papers;

‣ a picture of your abusive partner.

Note: If you are unable to keep the original documents, certified photocopies are available (call VictimLINK for assistance).

  • Make copies or take photos of information about all family income, assets and debts. This includes not only joint finances, but also those that are solely in your partner's name (such as pay stubs, tax returns, bank accounts, investments and RRSPs). Also record their SIN, BC Services/CareCard number, and date of birth.
  • Get legal advice on how to protect yourself and what you can do about your family home and money.

  • Get to your chosen safe place or halfway house. Call VictimLINK for help.
  • Get support to deal with the traumatic emotions of domestic violence. Contact VictimLINK.
  • Let your family members, close friends and workplace know that you have left your abusive partner. Ask them not to provide any information about you to your ex-partner.
  • Tell neighbours to call the police if they see your ex-partner at your home.
  • Get legal advice on your family situation, including obtaining a protection order.
  • Keep a copy of all protection orders with you at all times.
  • Contact all commercial and government offices that send you mail to inform them of your change of address. 

Prevent unwanted contact from your ex-partner:

  • Block your phone or get a new unlisted number. Make sure your phone account is in your name.
  • Screen your phone calls at work.
  • Avoid using social media accounts if you cannot guarantee your privacy.
  • Make sure your name is not on your mailbox or building directory, and that your contact information is not on public lists (such as an employee directory).
  • Vary your routes to work or school, and the times you arrive and leave.
  • Shop in different places and at different times than when you lived with your abusive partner.

Consider installing a home security system, which may include :

  • a door viewer and a chain,
  • window bars and locks,
  • an alarm system, 
  • exterior lighting by motion detector.

Consider changing doctors, dentists and other professional services you use.

Protect your credit and manage your finances:

  • Change your PIN and bank passwords.
  • Open a bank account in your name.
  • Ask your bank to send statements online only.

Also remember to do the following:

  • Let all your creditors know that you are no longer living with your ex-partner.
  • Change the beneficiary of your will, investments, RRSPs and insurance if your ex-partner was your beneficiary.
  • Order a credit report to make sure your ex-partner has not opened an account under your name without telling you.