Laurie

For Laurie, it hurt to live with her abuser and it was very hard to live without him. With no financial resources of her own, Laurie’s husband used money as well as assault to control and terrorize her. “To be honest, I don't think I’d have stayed with my children's father as long as I did if it hadn't been for the fact that I constantly struggled to make ends meet without him,” says Laurie. “I didn't press the matter of finances very often with him because to do so would, more times than not, trigger his outbursts.”

Laurie received vital support from a North Vancouver crisis services society, supported by the Canadian Women’s Foundation, which provides emergency shelter and long-term support, including helping women to access income assistance, free legal services and subsidized housing. “It has been a very long road to where I am today, which is safe,” says Laurie. “Now, I can better focus on healing and building myself back up.”

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