Rose, like most women who emigrate to Canada, lives in a small community. Everyone knows everyone. This often makes it hard for women to look for help.

Most women who are abused feel a sense of shame, especially if violence is something that no one in the community wants to talk about.

Rose may be thinking that:

• if I go for help to an agency, I may see someone who knows me.
• if I talk to someone in my community, I will bring shame to the family.
• if I tell someone in my community, they may think it is my fault.
• if the community finds out, they may not want to talk to me anymore.
• if I do anything, I may lose my friends in the community.
• if I try to get help from the government, they will not understand my English.

There is help.

There are people where Rose lives who work in the area of family violence. These people keep the information secret and will not tell anyone else. Rose may find support here.

Rose could consider some of these suggestions (when she goes to a government agency):

• She should trust herself. Her English is good enough to start a conversation.
• If she does not feel confident with her English, she should have someone she trusts to translate.
• She can ask someone she trusts to go with her if she does not want to go alone.
• She can contact an immigrant serving agency if she does not have anyone to go with her. They may be able to provide the support.
• She may ask to speak to someone who is not from her home country.
• She can ask that her file be kept confidential (secret).
• She can talk to an immigrant serving agency or women's group.