Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 155 If you leave an abusive situation, you can still apply for custody of your children. If you think your children might be in danger, contact the police and ask them to take you and your children to a shelter or somewhere else where you will be safe. Once you are safe, contact a lawyer to help you apply to the court for a custody or parenting order. If you can safely contact a lawyer before you leave, it might be helpful to get legal advice as early as possible. If your child will be visiting the other parent, you may want someone else (such as a grandparent or other relative or friend) to be there when the children go or come back from the other parent's home. In some places there may be a service available for supervised exchanges. If you are worried about your child's safety with the other parent, ask the judge to order supervised visits. In very rare circumstances, if the other parent poses a danger to the child even if they are supervised, you can ask the judge to order no visits. You can find a list of family justice services where you live at: Inventory of Governmentbased Family Justice Services. The safety of your children and your safety come first. Do not stay in a dangerous situation because you are worried about money. Shelters can provide you and your children with short-term help while you look for housing and long-term support. They can also help you look for financial support. Parental child abduction Contact a lawyer if you think the other parent or someone else will try and take your children out of the country. If you ask, the judge may order that the child's passport be kept by the court. If your children are Canadian citizens, call Passport Canada tollfree at 1-800-567-6868 or TTY services 1-866-255-7655. Ask them to put your child's name on a list so you can be called if anyone tries to get another passport for them. Most abducted children are taken by someone the child knows. The person who takes them is most often a parent. Parental child abduction happens when one parent takes a child without either the legal right or the permission of the other parent. Parental child abduction is a crime in Canada. An exception may apply when a parent takes the child to protect them from immediate harm. What to do if you are afraid the other parent may abduct your child • Contact a lawyer. • Contact your local police. • Keep records of all important information about your child and store it in a safe place. • Keep a copy of your custody or parenting order or agreement with you. • Ask your local passport office to add your children's names to the Passport Control List. If your children are citizens of another country, contact that embassy or consulate to ask them to refuse passports for your children. Talk to your child about using the phone and explain how your custody situation works if you are separated or divorced. If it is safe to do so, try to maintain good relations with the other parent and any extended family. Keep photos, recordings or other proof of the family violence. Many police officers are trained to respond to family violence. Many police services across Canada have special domestic assault units with police officers and other professionals who will listen and try to help you. The police can also refer you to victim services. Check the first few pages of your telephone book for the phone number. WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN IF YOU DECIDE TO LEAVE?
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