How Saskatoon Interval House can help you
Saskatoon Interval House is a shelter for women and their children leaving domestic/intimate partner violence.
We believe that everyone deserves to live a life free from violence.
We provide
- A safe, emergency shelter
- One-on one counselling for you and your children
- Help to find safe, affordable housing
- Help to establish a safety plan
- Referrals to community resources
- Family-based activities and celebrations
- Advocacy
- Emotional support
- Counselling and confidential support for you as you heal and plan for the future.
Am I being abused?
No one has the right to hurt you.
You have the right to be free from abuse.
You are not at fault and do not cause the abuse.
Signs of abuse
Ignoring or minimizing your feelings
Constantly criticizing, insulting, and calling you names
Humiliating you in public or private
Refusing to help you when you are sick or injured
Controlling all the money
Locking you out of your home
Isolating you from your family, friends, work, and community support
Controlling where you go and what you do
Checking up on you constantly
Blaming you for the abuse that occurs
Playing mind games
Threatening to: hurt you, take your children, harm your family, and hurt you with a weapon
Pushing, shoving, throwing objects at you
Hitting, choking, punching, biting, slapping, kicking you
Intimate partner violence, also known as domestic violence, can include physical, psychological, emotional, verbal, financial, sexual, and spiritual abuse; excessive jealousy and control; harassment after separation; and murder. Anyone can be a victim of abuse, regardless of ethnic background, age, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, marital, financial or employment status.
What to expect at Interval House
During your stay, our counsellors will help you
- Understand and heal from your experience of violence and abuse
- Look at options and help you make informed choices
- Introduce you to outside agency domestic violence groups
- Understand the effects that domestic violence may have on your children
- Identify your strengths, coping skills and personal resources that will promote positive self-worth
How to create a safety plan
Leaving a relationship is a difficult decision. You may experience conflicting emotions. For example, you want the abuse to stop but you love and care for the abuser. You might feel scared, helpless, or that you deserve the abuse. You might feel embarrassed to admit that your relationship is in trouble. It is hard to admit you are being abused, but seeking help is important.
Your safety plan is your guide to leaving the abuse. Your safety plan should include what you will take with you, where you can go, and who you can contact for help. While you should try to make your safety plan as solid as possible, leave some room for flexibility in case the situation changes. Sometimes things come up at the last minute. Having a backup plan and leaving room for change will make things easier.
Cards you will need
Carry in your wallet originals or copies of all the cards you normally use:
Social Insurance Number (SIN) card
Credit cards
Phone card
Bank cards
Health cards
Status card
Items to carry with you
Packing your go bag
Have a suitcase available so you can quickly pack the following items:
Clothing for you and your children
Special toys and/or comforts for your children
Medications
Jewelry and items of special sentimental value
A list of other items you would like to take if you get a chance to return to your home to collect more belongings later
Pet supplies
If you have pets, gather items you will need for their care:
- Crate or kennel
- Leash and collar
- Food and water bowls
- A small amount of food if possible (especially if your pet is on a special diet)
- Any special toy or bedding that your pet enjoys
- Pet licence or something to prove ownership of the animal
Important documents
Make a photocopy of the following items and store in a safe place, away from the originals. Hide the originals someplace else, if you can.
- Passports, birth certificates, Indian/First Nations status cards, citizenship papers, immigration papers, permanent resident or citizenship cards, etc., for all family members
- Driver’s licence, vehicle registration, insurance papers
- Prescriptions, medical, and vaccination records for all family members
- School records
- All income assistance documentation
- Marriage certificate, divorce papers, custody documentation, court orders, protection orders, or other legal documents
- Lease/rental agreement, house deed, mortgage documents
Other considerations
Open a bank account in your own name and instruct the bank not to phone you. Access the statement online or arrange for it to be sent to a different location, such as to a trusted friend or family member.
Store documents in a safety deposit box at a bank that your partner does not go to.
Save and set aside as much money as you can (e.g., take a bit of change out of grocery money if/when possible).
Hide extra clothing, keys, money, etc., at a friend/family member’s house.
Decide where you are going to go and how you will get there (e.g., by taxi or getting a ride from a friend).
If you use mobility devices or other equipment to accommodate a disability, consider where you can rent or borrow any needed items.
Connect with an agency that can help you by contacting 211 Saskatchewan.
Finding help
In an emergency
If you call 911 from a landline, you can leave the phone off the hook after you have dialed the number and the police will come to your location. This can be particularly useful if you have any communication difficulties.
A 911 call is free from cell phones and pay phones.
Even if the phone is not activated or out of minutes, you can still call 911. However, if you call from a cellphone, the police cannot tell where you are calling from, so be sure to give them your address immediately.
If the abuser interrupts while you are calling 911, a tip to remember is to talk to the operator like you are ordering take out food. This way you are still able to provide your location.
Try to remain on the line until the 911 call-taker tells you it is okay to hang up.
Remember: You can call 911 from anywhere on a charged cell phone, even if the phone is not activated or is out of minutes. Always call 911 if you feel you are in danger.
More information is available at
Help a friend
Set up a time to talk.
Ensure you have privacy and will not be distracted or interrupted.
Let your friend know you’re concerned about her safety.
Be honest; tell her about times when you were worried about her. Help her see that what she’s going through is not right. Let her know you want to help.
Be supportive
Listen to your friend. Keep in mind that it may be very hard for her to talk about the abuse. Tell her that she is not alone, and that people want to help.
Offer specific help
You might say you are willing to just listen to help her with childcare, or to provide transportation, for example.
Don’t place shame, blame or guilt on your friend.
Do not say, “You just need to leave.” Instead, say something like, “I get scared thinking about what might happen to you.” Tell her you understand that her situation is very difficult.
Help her make a safety plan.
Safety planning includes picking a place to go and packing essential items.
Encourage your friend to talk to someone who can help.
Offer to help her find a local domestic violence agency. Offer to go with her to the agency, the police, or court.
If your friend decides to stay, continue to be supportive.
Encourage your friend to do things outside of the relationship.
If your friend decides to leave, continue to offer support.
Even though the relationship was abusive, she may feel sad and lonely once it is over. She also may need your help getting services from agencies or community groups.
Keep in mind that you cannot “rescue” your friend.
Other resources
Abuse information and support for every woman and every girl on Earth. That’s the aim of the HotPeachPages website.
The Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan (PLEA) is a non-profit, non-government organization that exists to educate and inform the people of Saskatchewan about the law and the legal system. PLEA offers programs and services to the general public as well as to school communities.
211 Saskatchewan is a free, confidential, and searchable website of human services in Saskatchewan, with over 5,000 listings of social, community, non-clinical health, and government services across the province. The categories of listings include, but are not limited to, mental health and addictions, homelessness, income support, health care, food security and community programs.
ShelterSafe.ca is an online resource to help women and their children seeking safety from violence and abuse. The clickable map will serve as a fast resource to connect women with the nearest shelter that can offer safety, hope and support.
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