SAFETY FIRST

For women living with domestic abuse/domestic violence, the most dangerous time in the relationship, married or not, is when she tries to leave. It does not, however, mean it is impossible to leave. It means you need to plan extra carefully and hide those plans from your partner. If this applies to you, your options for proceeding will depend on where in the world you are. This website does not provide information relating to specific countries as this is highly specific and dovetails into legal advice.

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This page will be updated in time, but the most pertinent points to be aware of are these:

 

Safety first

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Please take care of your safety above all else. This may mean that it is temporarily safer to remain in the relationship while you find a safe way to leave. 

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Getting help?

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In some countries there are organisations that can help you, in others not. Some countries have more comprehensive recognition, including laws, of domestic and intimate partner abuse, and some have virtually none. Some countries have comprehensive laws, but their implementation is less impressive. If you find a local organisation that offers advice, please contact them. You can also speak to a lawyer. A local therapist may also be able to help.

 

Above all, however, you should do these things without alerting your spouse. 

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Cyber stalking

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Abuse can include tracking your online activity. There are a number of methods used for this. The best ways to avoid them is to not use either your own devices (computer, laptop, tablet, phone) or any other device connected to your home internet. Think about researching safe ways to leaving the relationship where you are on a friend’s device, a library device, or a device that is in no way connected to your home internet. ​​​​