Your Path to Safety and Healing Begins Here.
Navigating the overwhelming cycle of domestic violence and addiction can make you feel lost and alone. You are not alone. This resource is a safe space to find clear, supportive pathways to a better future.
Understanding the Tangled Cycle
For so many families, domestic violence and substance use are not separate problems—they are a deeply tangled crisis. One often fuels the other, creating a cycle that can feel impossible to break.
A major Canadian survey found 44% of women report experiencing some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime.
Substance use is a factor in over 40% of all domestic violence cases reported to police.
Parental substance use can dramatically increase the risk of harm to children.
Abuse Isn't Always Obvious. It's About Control.
Domestic abuse is a pattern of behaviour used to maintain power and control. It can be subtle, but the goal is always to diminish your independence and sense of self.
Emotional & Psychological Abuse
Constant criticism, name-calling, humiliation. Twisting the truth to make you feel crazy (gaslighting), denying their actions, or threatening to harm themselves if you leave.
Financial Abuse
Preventing you from working, controlling all the money, hiding financial information, or giving you a restrictive "allowance" that doesn't meet your family's needs.
Social Isolation & Coercion
Controlling who you see, monitoring your phone and social media, or preventing you from seeing family. This also includes pressuring you to use substances or sabotaging your recovery.
Physical Abuse
Any form of physical harm, including pushing, slapping, choking, or restraining. If you are being physically hurt, your safety is the top priority.
If you recognize any of these patterns, please know it is not your fault. You deserve to be safe and respected.
How to Ask for Help
Finding the right words can be hard. Let's brainstorm some safe ways to start a conversation. This is a private tool; your data is not saved.
Disclaimer: This AI tool provides suggestions for brainstorming only and is not a substitute for professional advice. The generated text may not always be accurate or appropriate for your specific situation.
My Safety Plan
This tool can help you brainstorm steps to increase your safety. Your answers are not saved. This is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for help from a qualified professional.
Disclaimer: Safety planning is complex. This AI tool is for brainstorming only. For your safety, please connect with a professional domestic violence advocate to create a detailed, personalized plan. Find one in the "Find Help" section below.
You Have Options. You Have Support.
Taking the first step is the hardest part. These resources are confidential, supportive, and ready to help you navigate your next move.
211
ONTARIO
Your Most Powerful Tool
211 is your central connection to thousands of community and social services. Find local shelters, counselling, food banks, and much more. It's free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Immediate & 24/7 Crisis Support
For immediate danger, call 911. For 24/7 counselling and emotional support, contact the Assaulted Women’s Helpline.
Call 1-866-863-0511Legal Support
If you've experienced domestic violence, you may get a free 2-hour consultation with a lawyer to understand your rights.
Visit Legal Aid OntarioHelp with Substance Use
A national portal to find information on treatment, harm reduction, and support for substance use across Canada.
Visit Canada.caAddiction & Violence Info
An excellent resource for understanding the deep connection between addiction and domestic violence.
Visit Addiction CenterTalk4Healing
A culturally safe helpline for Indigenous women living in urban, rural, and remote communities across Ontario.
Call 1-855-554-HEALA Final Note: Integrated Care
My research showed that treating violence and addiction separately often fails families. When you reach out, don't be afraid to say, "I need support for both issues." You have the right to care that addresses your whole story.