Intimate Partner Violence Support
Being hurt by someone you love is one of the most devastating things a person can experience
The fear. The grief. The shame. The confusion. It’s all real.
And even when it’s over — it doesn’t just stop. It can show up in your body long after. The tension in your shoulders. Always being on alert. Never quite feeling safe, even when you are.
You didn’t deserve what happened. None of it was your fault.
What intimate partner violence (IPV) actually looks like
IPV isn’t always physical. It can be harder to name — and harder to leave — than people realize.
It can include:
Physical Abuse
Hitting, pushing, restraining, or any physical harm.
Emotional and Psychological Abuse
Manipulation, threats, humiliation, and control.
Coercive Control
Isolating you from friends and family, monitoring your movements, controlling finances.
Sexual Violence
Any sexual act without your full and free consent.
Technology-facilitated Abuse
Surveillance, harassment, or threats online or through devices.
Economic Abuse
Controlling access to money, preventing you from working.
IPV can happen in any relationship — regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, or background. It can happen while you’re together, and it can continue after you leave.
You are not alone. This is happening at crisis levels.
Many people stay silent because of shame, fear, or the belief that what happened isn’t “bad enough” to count. It counts.
Over 95 municipalities in Ontario have recognized intimate partner violence as an epidemic.
In November 2025, Ontario passed a motion declaring IPV endemic — a reflection of rising rates and years of advocacy from survivors and communities demanding change.
What this can feel like — even after it’s over
Surviving IPV doesn’t mean the impact ends when the relationship does. Many people carry it long afterward.
You might recognize:
- Feeling jumpy, hypervigilant, or always waiting for something to go wrong
- Difficulty trusting people — even those who are safe
- Shame, self-blame, or questioning your own memory of what happened
- Anxiety, depression, or difficulty sleeping
- Feeling disconnected from yourself or your body
- Struggling to feel safe in relationships, or avoiding them altogether
These are not signs of weakness. They are normal responses to something that should never have happened to you.
If you’re still in the relationship
There is no judgment here — leaving is not always simple, safe, or possible right away. If you’re still there, we can work on safety planning at whatever pace makes sense for you.
Your safety comes first. Always.
If you are in immediate danger, please call 911 or Assaulted Women’s Helpline (Ontario): 1-866-863-0511 (24/7, multilingual)
For free and confidential support, you can also reach:
How therapy can help
Whether you’re still in the situation, recently out, or years removed — therapy can be part of finding your way back to yourself.
In our work together, we can:
Process what happened
Work one-on-one with our expert stylists to curate outfits that align with your unique taste, body type, and lifestyle.
Work through trauma responses
Ensure the perfect fit. From hemming to resizing, our skilled tailors will tailor your garments
to perfection.
Rebuild your sense of safety
Revamp your wardrobe. Our stylists will help you declutter, organize, and update your closet with fresh new pieces.
Untangle the guilt and self-blame
Can’t make it to our store? Our virtual shopping assistance service allows you to shop from the comfort of your home.
Create safety plans
Work one-on-one with our expert stylists to curate outfits that align with your unique taste, body type, and lifestyle.
Reconnect with yourself
Ensure the perfect fit. From hemming to resizing, our skilled tailors will tailor your garments
to perfection.
You don’t have to keep carrying this alone.
Book a free 15-minute consultation. I offer in-person sessions in the Region of Durham, and virtual sessions for anyone across Ontario. We’ll talk about what’s going on, whether therapy might help, and if we’re a good fit. No pressure. No judgment. Just a conversation.