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| {{Family Violence & Abuse TOC}}
| | '''''Family Violence and Abuse''''' from [[People's Law School]] is no longer available. For updated coverage of this topic, [[Introduction to Family Violence|see Dial-A-Law's page on family violence]]. |
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| Victim Services Programs are available across BC and provide free information, referrals, emotional support, safety planning and practical help to
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| victims of crime.
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| To find a victim service program in your area, contact VictimLink BC at 1.800.563.0808. Ask for a referral to a program in your community where people speak your language and are familiar with
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| your culture.
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| ==Counselling services==
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| Counselling and other services provide help and practical support for victims of family violence and abuse in a safe, supportive environment. To find counselling services in your area, call VictimLink BC at 1.800.563.0808, or visit the BC Ministry of Justice website on “Violence Against Women Counselling and Outreach” programs.
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| ==Transition and safe houses==
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| These are safe places you can go to if you are being abused. These houses are open 24 hours a day and are free.
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| The staff provide legal information and emotional support. They can help you understand your options, such as how to continue to stay safe. When you go to a safe house or transition house, the abuser will not know where you are. You can take your children with you.
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| There are three types of housing:
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| * Transition houses provide safe, temporary shelter with support services. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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| * Safe houses provide safe, temporary short-term shelter and support services.
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| * Second-stage houses help women who have left abusive relationships make plans for the future. Women and their children usually stay in a second-stage house for 6-18 months.
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| If you and your children need to leave the family home because of abuse, call VictimLink BC at 1.800.563.0808 to find out about transition
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| houses or safe houses in your community. A list of transition houses, safe houses and second-stage housing is available on the BC Housing website.
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| ==Develop a safety plan==
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| A safety plan is the steps you can take to protect yourself and your children. It is difficult to think clearly in an emergency. If you make plans before a crisis, you will be prepared and know how to get
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| help in an emergency. When you have a safety plan, you have some control over your life and your decisions.
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| You can develop your own safety plan or get free help from a victim services worker.
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| Your safety plan might include:
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| * where you and your children would go if you had to leave,
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| * keeping important papers, such as birth certificates, passports and immigration papers in a safe place, and
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| * putting some money and a set of your house and car keys in a safe place.
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| Your plan may include:
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| * packing and leaving a suitcase with a trusted friend,
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| * teaching your children to call 911 or the police for help,
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| * choosing a code word for your children and friends, so they will know when you are in danger and can call for help, and
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| * talking to a lawyer regarding decisions about parenting and property.
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| For more on safety planning, see the Help, services and more information section of this wikibook.
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| {{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[People's Law School]], 2014}}
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| {{Family Violence & Abuse Navbox}}
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| {{Creative Commons for PLS
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| |title = Workplace Bullying and Harassment | |
| |author =
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| }}
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| __NOGLOSSARY__
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