When we say that survivors of domestic violence don’t just leave — they escape — this is what we mean.  

Not long ago, Jade, a mother of two boys, whose names have all been changed to protect their identity, came to us after living through years of abuse at the hands of her partner, the father of the children. The abuse didn’t just target her, it extended to her children as well. It was her eldest son, Luca, who was just 12 years old, who bravely stepped in to protect his mother and called the police. His courageous call set everything in motion.  

Together with her sons, Luca and Elio, Jade fled to a transition house – they were then referred to Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS). With that interim safety, this is where their healing journey began.  

Through counselling and support groups at BWSS, Jade began to name the abuse. She realized, in hindsight, that it was the years of violence, intimidation, coercion, and fear that kept her trapped in the relationship. Her boys began to open up, too, disclosing the heartbreaking truths of what their father had done to them. A brutal lived experience that no child should ever have to carry.  

Jade felt so much shame and guilt for not leaving sooner… but also a fierce determination to protect her children and break the cycle of violence for good.  

But escaping abuse doesn’t mean it ends. Her former partner utilized post-separation abuse tactics and began stalking and harassing her and the children, including showing up unannounced outside their home and at the children’s school and activities. This was menacing and designed to intimidate and instill fear in the hearts of her and the boys.  

A vital next step involved a BWSS legal advocate accompanying Jade and her children to court to secure a family law protection order. However, despite the order of protection, fear remained constant as Jade’s former partner continued to be an intimidating presence in their lives.  

He would often drive by their home and show up at the children’s school activities unannounced. On one occasion, while Luca was playing volleyball, he looked up to see his father watching him from a distance—the anger on his father’s face gave him nightmares. This ongoing surveillance and intimidation instilled deep fear in both Jade and her children because they were still not safe.  

Despite the stalking, Jade kept going. A BWSS support worker encouraged her to keep a journal and document all the sightings and encounters she had with her former partner. Her children kept journals, too. Together, they documented every threat, every encounter, and every moment of fear.  

Eventually, with support from BWSS, Jade was granted permission from the court to relocate with her children to another province, a difficult decision that meant leaving her community, her city, and everything familiar behind. But it also meant safety, freedom, and a chance to start again.  

And she did.  

Today, Jade is a school teacher. Her boys are thriving. Just recently, she sent a heartfelt message to the BWSS team, full of gratitude for the support she received from BWSS. She still remembers every piece of guidance, every word of encouragement, and every moment of compassion.  

This is what your support makes possible.  

During this Violence Against Women Prevention Week, as we #WearJustice #BuildSafety, we’re shedding light on post-separation abuse—and how leaving isn’t the end of the violence for many women. In fact, it’s often when abuse escalates. We stand beside survivors like Jade, who continue to experience harassment, legal bullying, financial control, and threats long after leaving an abusive partner. 

Will you make a gift today?  

$1000 provides a complete cycle of programming for one survivor who is dealing with post-separation abuse. Your donation, whether it’s $50, $250, or $1000, helps us provide survivors with safety planning, legal advocacy, trauma counselling, and resources needed, not just to leave the relationship but to escape and rebuild lives. 

As Canada marks Violence Against Women Prevention Week (April 20–April 26) and Fashion Revolution Week (April 22–April 27), a bold new campaign is calling attention to the threads that tie together the global fashion industry and the epidemic of gender-based violence.

“Wear Justice, Build Safety”, launching April 21, is a two-week fundraising and public awareness campaign that highlights how systems of violence—at home and in the garment industry—are interconnected. The campaign is led by Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS), with the goal of raising $75,000 to support frontline anti-violence services, prevention education, and economic empowerment.