ADVANCING HEALTH-CARE PRACTICE





If You Are Experiencing Abuse

You are not alone. It is well-established that one in every three women has experienced physical or sexual assault by an intimate partner at some point in their adult lives, and many more will be isolated from friends and family, put down, have little or no access to finances, or otherwise controlled and emotionally, verbally or psychologically abused. One in ten women are experiencing abuse or violence right now. Many women define their experiences as abusive only in retrospect. There are services available to support you that understand these issues.

For information on safetly planning and women's shelters across the province, access www.shelternet.ca

To speak to a victim support worker, toll-free from anywhere in BC, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, call 1-800-563-0808 (TTY: 604-875-0885) or click on www.vcn.bc.ca/isv/victims.htm.

VictimLINK can provide information, crisis support and referrals to a variety of resources in your community.

If you are experiencing abuse in the workplace, the Registered Nursing Association of BC provides a "first step" in beginning discussions with management to effect changes which would see zero tolerance for abusive behaviour in health settings.