If you are physically or emotionally abusing your spouse/partner, you can do something to stop. You can:

• talk to a counsellor about your violent behaviour;
• find out about groups that help men who abuse their wives or partners;
• call your doctor, a community information centre, a community health centre, the Victim Support Line (VSL) or a counselling service to get the telephone number of a group in your community;
• talk to an Employee Assistance Program counsellor who may be able to help; and
• accept responsibility for what you say and do.

Emergency Checklist for Assaulted Women in Crisis*
• When he is assaulting you, call the police. Tell them you are being assaulted.
• When the police arrive they must lay a charge if they believe an assault has taken place.
• Make noise: neighbours may call the police.
• Teach your children to call the police.
• If you can, take the children when you leave.
• Ask if the police can go back to your home with you later to get things that you need.
• Open a bank account in your name and arrange that bank statements are not mailed to you.
• Save as much as you can.
• Set aside money for a taxi and quarters for pay phones.
• Plan your emergency exits.
• Keep emergency numbers with you at all times.
• Hide extra clothes, house keys, car keys, money, etc. at a friend's house

If you have to leave in a hurry, try to take:
• Extra car or house keys
• Passports, birth certificates, immigration papers, health card, social insurance number
• Prescriptions and other medicines
• Emergency suitcase already packed, if possible
• Some special toys and comforts for your children
* Guide to Services for Assaulted Women in Ontario, 1998.