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→First steps
#If the abuse involves physical or sexual violence, consider reporting it to the police. Staff at local transition houses and victim services groups can support you in doing this. If you want the abuser to stay away from you, you can ask the police to ask a judge for a <span class="noglossary">''no contact order''</span> to prevent or limit the abuser from having <span class="noglossary">contact</span> with you or your children. Ask the police to give you <span class="noglossary">contact</span> information for a victim services worker.
#If you need a lawyer but cannot afford one on your own, see if you qualify for [[Legal Aid Representation|legal aid <span class="noglossary">representation</span>]]. If you qualify, the Legal Services Society <span class="noglossary">will</span> appoint a lawyer to advise you and represent you in Family Court. Victims are not usually entitled to <span class="noglossary">representation</span> by lawyers in criminal court.
#If you have been in a relationship with the abuser, you You or your lawyer can make an application to the Family Court or BC Supreme Court for an order preventing or limiting the abuser from having <span class="noglossary">contact</span> with you and/or your children. You can take this step instead of or in addition to reporting the abuse to the police. If you are acting on your own, follow Follow the process described under "[[I just separated from the other parent of my children]]" in this Guide.
== What happens next ==