Mira* and her family were government-assisted refugees from Syria. She was referred to SARA by a community partner, the IPVU department at the Abbotsford Police Department (APD).
She fled the war with her family in search of safety in Canada. She believed that, at last, she would be safe from the fear of war and the violence she had experienced from her husband, as Canada is considered a safer country with stronger laws against intimate partner violence (IPV). She hoped her husband would not abuse her in Canada.
However, the IPV from her partner began to escalate, and the abuse escalated to where she is considered a high-risk client, and her file is with the IPVU unit with Abbotsford Police Department.
Despite the court orders in place and a monitoring angle, he broke down the door to the house she is residing in with her three young children. While the children were screaming and crying, she managed to call 911. He has several breaches.
There is a language barrier as the client only speaks Arabic.
She is very thankful to SARA, as the Outreach worker, together with a community partner, assisted the client in applying for legal aid, income assistance, rental subsides and etc.
She feels she is not alone and is very appreciative of having wrap-around services (MCFD, APD IPVU, SARA, Archway) in place for her, including a safety plan.
“ It was just when I thought I was in a safe place, he began to abuse again and again, and I knew this wasn’t right for me and my children and I knew I had to get help.” I do feel scared, but I know that I am not alone.”
*name changed to protect privacy
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