PREPARING TO LEAVE
When you leave your home, it is important to take all your important belongings with you for your own safety and the safety of your children. Below is a checklist of the documents and objects that we advise you to have with you, depending on your situation.
For you
- health insurance card
- social insurance card
- lease/mortgage agreement/property deeds
- receipts from goods belonging to you
- home insurance policy
- keys to your home
- health and vaccination record
- medications and prescriptions
- life insurance policy
- birth certificate
- wedding contract
- passport
- immigration certificate
- permanent residence card
- diplomas
- professional practice permit
- competence cards
- driver’s license
- car keys
- bank cards / account statements
- income tax returns
- address book
- money
- extra clothes
- toiletries
- jewelry
- items that have special value to you
For your kids
- health insurance card
- social insurance card
- health and vaccination record
- medications and prescriptions
- birth certificate
- passport
- immigration certificate
- school reports
- bank book
- extra clothes
- toiletries
- each child’s favorite toy
- objects that have a special value for your children
If you forget something, do NOT return to your former home alone, as this can be dangerous for you. Once you arrive at the shelter, we can arrange police escort to get you back to your former residence safely.
My ex-spouse was irresponsible, violent and abusive. He took advantage of my good faith to exploit me. After weighing the pros and cons, I left him to rebuild my life in a positive way, without trying to hang on to what I should be.
I have always sought to protect my family above all else, despite the intimidation, the tears, the trauma. Until the day I understood that protecting my family meant separating myself from him to save myself and my children. I was forced to make this choice because he had zero generosity.