Signs of High Risk

Statistics indicate that women who are under 25 years of age, women with a disability, Aboriginal women and women living common-law are at higher risk of abuse. (Statistics Canada: Family Violence in Canada. A Statistical Profile 2005)

The Assaulted Women’s Helpline at 1-866-863-0511 offers a 24-hour telephone and TTY 1-866-863-7868 crisis line for abused women in Ontario. The service is anonymous and confidential and is provided in up to 154 languages.

Helpline staff can support you in helping the abused woman or abusive man. They will discuss the warning signs of abuse you have seen and give you practical advice on ways to help.

For more information about the services of the Assaulted Women’s Helpline visit: www.awhl.org. In an emergency, call your local police service.

The danger may be greater if:
He has access to her and her childrenHe has trouble keeping a job
He has access to weaponsHe takes drugs or drinks every day
He has a history of abuse with her or othersHe has no respect for the law
He has threatened to harm or kill her if she leaves him: He says "If I can't have you, no one will."She has just separated or is planning to leave
He threatens to harm her children, her pets or her propertyShe fears for her life and for her children’s safety or she cannot see her risk
He has threatened to kill himselfShe is in a custody battle, or has children from a previous relationship
He has hit her, choked herShe is involved in another relationship
He is going through major life changes (e.g. job, separation, depression) She has unexplained injuries
He is convinced she is seeing someone else. She has no access to a phone
He blames her for ruining his lifeShe faces other obstacles (e.g. she does not speak English, is not yet a legal resident of Canada, lives in a remote area)
He doesn’t seek support
She has no friends or family
He watches her actions, listens to her telephone conversations, sees her emails and follows her