Notice what is around you
If it feels okay, pause and name a few things you can see or feel beneath your hands or feet. You can stop whenever you want.
Daily Life & Rebuilding
Explore provider-created guides and tools for everyday life, safety, children, learning, and rebuilding at your own pace.
A small step can be enough for today
When a day feels full, a small next step may be enough. Try only what feels comfortable and safe.
Make one basic need easier
A drink of water, a snack, a comfortable layer, or a few quiet minutes may be a manageable choice. You deserve care without having to earn it.
Choose one next thing
Pick just one task for now, or ask someone you trust to sit with you, help with a practical detail, or keep you company.
For more optional ideas for young people, see the self-care guide for teens and their supporters.
Take the pieces that serve you
Start with what matters today: making the next hour easier, helping your child feel supported, or gathering information before a money or housing decision. You can read one page and return later.
Some resources are for a particular location or audience; each card lists its region and provider. Canadian resources come first, and laws and programs abroad may not apply here.
Children deserve support without blame
Children may react to family stress in different ways. A caring adult can offer simple reassurance: the violence is not the child’s fault, it is not their job to stop it, and adults are working on safety. You do not need to ask a child to share more than they want to. A child or family support worker can help you choose words and next steps that fit their age and circumstances.
Start with the Canada-specific Justice Canada information for children and youth, the child-friendly safety activity, or Family Services Ottawa’s child support program. Each provider describes its intended audience and current options.
Practical needs count, too
Housing, income, documents, work, education, and money questions can take time. You can gather information without committing to a decision. If it is safe and useful, keep questions together and ask a local advocate or qualified professional which options fit your situation.
Ottawa readers can start with Family Services Ottawa’s transitional and housing support page and its financial learning materials. The federal Budget Planner and bank account comparison tool are optional general tools; you do not need to use them if tracking money is not safe or comfortable.
Understanding abuse can support clearer choices
Information on coercive, financial, and technology-facilitated abuse can help people recognize patterns and find support; it never makes the person experiencing abuse responsible for it. Youth resources also cover respectful relationships and supportive responses.
For Canadian information, see how to recognize family violence, economic abuse, and the youth workbook series. Other English-speaking regions are labeled on the provider guides below.
Learning library
Search by topic or provider, or filter by resource type. All entries appear below if filtering is unavailable.
No resources match these filters. Try another topic or clear the filters.
Plan for your safety
A Government of Canada guide to thinking through safety for yourself and your children, whether or not you are planning to leave. It includes practical prompts and links to Canadian services.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)How to recognize family violence
An overview of signs and forms of family violence, with guidance on finding help for yourself or a child. Information can help name patterns; it cannot assess an individual relationship.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)How to respond to family violence
Ideas for supporting someone experiencing abuse, including listening without blame, considering safety, and finding support. It also has guidance for adults concerned about a child or young person.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Family violence: information and impacts
A Canadian overview of different forms of family violence and possible effects on adults and children, with links to safety, health, and support information.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Gender-based violence: youth workbooks
Free Government of Canada workbooks for young people about recognizing gender-based violence, taking action, and finding support. Young people can choose the topics that feel relevant to them.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Youth workbook: seeking support
A youth-focused learning module about ways to seek support for gender-based violence. It presents options without telling a young person what they must do.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Family violence information for children and youth
Justice Canada’s age-appropriate information for young people explains family violence and points to ways to find help. The site has sections for children aged 10–12 and youth aged 13 and up.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)My safety plan (ages 10–12)
A child-friendly Justice Canada activity that helps children think about a trusted adult and what they can do if they feel unsafe. A trusted adult can help a child work through it.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Because life goes on: helping children and youth
A Government of Canada guide for parents and caregivers supporting children through separation and divorce. A section discusses family violence and ways children may need extra reassurance and care.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Children Who Witness Violence program
Family Services Ottawa describes its supports for children affected by family violence, including group support. Contact the provider to ask about current availability and fit for your family.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Financial empowerment resources
Family Services Ottawa shares free financial learning resources created with community partners, including materials on financial abuse, budgeting, and planning an exit. Resources are available in multiple languages.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Transitional support and housing help
Family Services Ottawa outlines support with safety, referrals, housing applications, and financial or legal concerns during separation. Ask the provider about eligibility and current service options.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Understanding economic abuse
Women and Gender Equality Canada explains economic abuse, gives examples, and links to resources for people affected by it. This can be a starting point for naming financial control or interference with work and resources.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Financial abuse information sheet
A concise WomanACT resource describing signs of financial abuse and ideas for getting help. The page links to the provider’s downloadable information sheet.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)EASE: financial safety and rebuilding resources
WomanACT’s Economic Abuse Support and Empowerment project offers survivor-informed materials on financial abuse, financial safety planning, and rebuilding credit and financial confidence.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Budget Planner
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s optional tool helps organize income and expenses and view a budget summary. It is general information, not a required step; skip it if tracking money is unsafe or stressful.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Compare bank accounts
A Government of Canada comparison tool for features such as fees, transactions, and interest rates on chequing and savings accounts. Confirm details with a financial institution before making a decision.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Family violence help and services across Canada
A federal directory of Canadian family violence services and resources, including shelter and provincial or territorial supports. Use the service information for your location and confirm details with the provider.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Family justice services and family violence
Justice Canada explains how victim services and family justice services may help with safety planning, options, and supervised child transfers. Services and processes vary by province and territory.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)The Survivor’s Handbook
Women’s Aid provides practical information for women experiencing domestic abuse, with topics that include safety, support, money, housing, and children. Services and legal information are specific to the UK.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Secure your tech from abuse
Refuge’s technology safety site offers guidance about technology-facilitated abuse and ways to review device or account safety. Changing settings can alert someone monitoring a device, so consider what is safe for you first.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Online and digital abuse
Women’s Aid describes forms of online abuse and shares guidance on digital safety and social media. This UK resource may be useful for learning what technology-facilitated abuse can look like.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Domestic abuse: getting help (easy read and BSL video)
The UK government’s easy-read guide explains how to get help for domestic abuse and links to a British Sign Language video. Contact details and laws are UK-specific.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Safety planning
Australia’s 1800RESPECT explains safety planning as considering options for greater safety while living with violence or abuse. It includes a checklist and ways to seek support with planning.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Risk assessment and safety planning tools
1800RESPECT provides a safety planning checklist and guidance for people supporting someone experiencing domestic or family violence. The provider notes that not every idea will fit every situation.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Safety and self-care for teens
A 1800RESPECT page for teenagers and people supporting them, with ideas about self-care while dealing with violence or abuse. It is an optional set of ideas, not a treatment plan.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Technology safety videos and Escape Bag Checklist
1800RESPECT offers a visual Escape Bag Checklist and technology safety videos for people considering practical safety needs. Use the ideas only if they fit your circumstances and will not increase risk.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Family violence video library
The Domestic Violence Prevention Centre’s official video library includes accessible videos about safety planning and how domestic violence can affect children. Topics and services reflect Australia.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Understanding unsafe relationships
New Zealand’s Are You OK explains what family violence can look like and offers practical safety information and ways to find support. Laws and service contacts are specific to Aotearoa New Zealand.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)I’m worried about my kids
A New Zealand guide for caregivers concerned about children experiencing family violence, including ways to support safety and links to further help. It is not a substitute for local professional advice.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Staying safe online
New Zealand Women’s Refuge explains its shielded site and shares information about online safety and planning. Its privacy and safety features apply to its own website and do not erase browser history elsewhere.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)Create a safety plan
An interactive U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline tool for making a personal safety plan while living with abuse, preparing to leave, or after leaving. Use it only if the device and information you enter are safe for you.
Open provider resource (opens in a new tab)