a guide to supporting children exposed to domestic violence

• be afraid of being judged or of having the abuse blamed on you
• be afraid of being isolated, with no support network
• believe that children of divorce are stigmatized and may not be able to find a
suitable marriage partner
• worry about your ability to handle being a single parent mother
• be unable to find employment that uses your skills and experience
• have difficulties with language
• feel you are not treated with respect by service providers
• find that things you took for granted in your own culture are not acceptable in
Canada
• have not yet found a level of comfort with Canadian society
• feel that your children are growing away from you and that their Canadian
friends are a bad influence
USEFUL TIPS
• Contact a multicultural service agency. See the groups mentioned in the section
“Finding and using an advocate,” in Chapter 8.
• Neighbourhood houses may have settlement workers who can help you find
resources.
• Talk to another woman who shares the same language/culture but has lived in
Canada much longer.
• Take English Language classes to help you communicate with banks, stores,
your children’s teachers, possible employers, and services that you need.
If you are a landed immigrant,
sponsored by your husband
Remember that laws in Canada may be different from laws in your own country.
In Canada:
• A husband does not have the right to hit his wife or children.
• A husband does not own his wife and children.
• Your husband cannot deport you. (The Canadian government is the only one
with that authority.)
• If your husband abuses you, you do not have to stay with him.
HELPING MY CHILD A GUIDE TO SUPPORTING CHILDREN EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 26