Get informed : Violence

Behind closed doors. You may suspect that a friend is experiencing family violence or violence in a relationship. You can try to talk about it with them, express your worries, or ask them questions in an attempt to learn a bit more. You can ask them:

• How they feel about their home life or their romantic relationship
• If they are ever worried about their safety or the safety of a family member
• If they have ever been physically or verbally hurt
• If they know a place to go to if they’re in danger

A well-kept secret. It can be hard for someone who is experiencing violence to talk about their situation. Do you think that your friend is hiding something? Do they change the subject or react when you bring up certain subjects?

Help wanted. If you really think that someone close to you is a victim of family violence or violence in their romantic relationship, don’t hesitate to talk about it with an adult you know, such as a parent or school or CLSC counsellor. This type of situation can be hard to cope with — you can’t stop the violence your friend is a victim of all by yourself. Your friend may agree to have you accompany them in their search for help.