FOR
 EMERGENCIES 
CALL 911

Do you ever experience this?

A partner who ...

• tells you they love you, but puts you down
• makes you feel bad about yourself
• makes you feel crazy or afraid
• says it's your fault if they get angry
• keeps you from seeing your friends or family
• is jealous and possessive
• forces or pressures you to drink or take drugs
• drives fast or recklessly to frighten you when you're in the car
• controls your finances, makes you account for every penny spent
• threatens you or your children
• destroys your personal belongings or talks about it
• hurts your pet or talks about it
• threatens, slaps, shoves, hits or restrains you against your will
• emotionally or physically forces you to have sex or unprotected sex
• threatens you with weapons
• promises to change, but the abuse keeps happening

If you experience any of these things,
remember that help is available.

You have the right to be safe.

Do you ever think ...

• it was your fault the violence or abuse happened?
• the abuse happened a long time ago, so why talk about it now?
• there was no intercourse, so it was not really sexualized assault?
• you are the only one this person ever abused?

How you may feel ...

Each woman has her own response to violence and abuse. Some commone responses for survivors are:

• shame, guilt, self-blame
• fear and anxiety
• sleeping and eating disruptions
• feelings of powerlessness
• depression

Whether you experience all, some or none of these responses, your reaction is normal for you. There is no right or wrong way to respond to violence and abuse.

What may help ...

You are the best judge of what you need and what is helpful to you.

Finding someone who is safe for you to talk to, such as the Stopping the Violence Counsellor, may be useful.

It is important you get the support you need.