If you're in danger right now
Call 911. For confidential support any time, call or text VictimLinkBC at 1-800-563-0808 (24/7, up to 150 languages). If you're thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8.
Outside Canada: 911 in the US, 999 in the UK, 000 in Australia.
The red Quick exit button at the top of this page leaves DivorceMaybe instantly and replaces this tab with a search for "weather". Pressing Esc twice does the same thing.
Browsing safely
- Use a private / incognito window so this site doesn't show in browser history.
- If a shared computer might be monitored, use a phone on cellular data — not the house Wi-Fi.
- Clear your history before you close the tab: Ctrl+Shift+Del on Windows, Cmd+Shift+Del on Mac.
- The Quick Exit button replaces this page and tries to replace the previous one. Hitting Back won't bring DivorceMaybe back.
Crisis lines
Jump to your region, or open a section to see its numbers — so you reach the right one fast.
Canada · 7 lines
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VictimLinkBC
Call 1-800-563-0808Text 1-800-563-080824/7, confidential, help in up to 150 languages. Call or text.
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9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline
Call 988Text 98824/7. Call or text 9-8-8.
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Family Justice Centres (Province of BC)
Call 1-844-747-3963Free help with parenting, support and other separation issues.
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Legal Aid BC call centre
Call 604-408-2172Greater Vancouver: 604-408-2172 · elsewhere in BC: 1-866-577-2525. Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9:00–3:30; Wed 9:00–2:30.
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Family Law in BC
Plain-language family law guides.
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Law Society of BC Lawyer Directory
Check that a lawyer is allowed to practise.
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ShelterSafe
Map of women's shelters and transition houses across Canada.
United States · 3 lines
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National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-799-7233Text START to 88788Free, confidential, 24/7. Live chat on the website.
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RAINN (sexual assault)
Call 1-800-656-467324/7 hotline and online chat.
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988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call 988Text 988For anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
United Kingdom · 2 lines
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Refuge — National Domestic Abuse
Call 0808 2000 247Free, 24-hour, women's aid helpline.
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Samaritans
Call 116 123Free, 24/7.
Australia · 2 lines
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1800RESPECT
Call 1800 737 732National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling.
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Lifeline
Call 13 11 14Text 0477 13 11 1424/7 crisis support.
A short safety-planning checklist
- Pack a "go bag" with ID, cash, medications, phone charger, a change of clothes, and any documents for the kids. Hide it at a trusted friend's place if home isn't safe.
- Memorise two phone numbers — phones get taken or break. A friend and one of the hotlines above.
- Open a separate bank account the other person doesn't know about, even with just $50. Use a P.O. box for statements.
- Tell one trusted person what's happening. Agree on a code word that means "call the police."
- Document the abuse safely — photos, notes with dates, screenshots. Keep them in a private cloud account, not the family laptop.
- If you have kids, tell their school or daycare who is and isn't allowed to pick them up. Schools take this seriously.
If you were sponsored or are new to Canada
Abusers use immigration status as a weapon. These threats are control tactics — not the law.
- “I’ll have you deported” is a threat, not a fact. Leaving an abusive sponsor does not automatically cancel permanent residence you already hold. If your status is still in process, get advice early — Canada has family-violence and humanitarian provisions.
- Secure your documents. Photograph or copy your passport, PR card, health card, SIN, marriage certificate and the kids' papers. If they're being withheld from you, a settlement worker can help you replace them.
- You don't need English to get help. VictimLink BC (1-800-563-0808) answers 24/7 in up to 150 languages, including Punjabi and Hindi, by call or text.
- Transition houses are free and confidential — many in the Fraser Valley have South Asian staff and won't ask about your status to keep you safe.
- Talk to one professional confidentially before you move — a settlement agency or an immigration/family lawyer who speaks your language. See our hub for South Asian women.
Talk to people who get it
Our Leaving safely forum is monitored for safety. You can post anonymously — display your DivorceMaybe handle, not your real name.
Looking for a counselor or lawyer who handles abuse cases? Look for the Free consult tag on a listing. Search counselors or search lawyers.
Once you're physically safe, the recovery work begins — see our therapy & trauma guide for what kinds of therapy help with what.