Annie’s Place (Transition House)

For immediate assistance call 250.642.2591

Annie’s place Transition House is a newly renovated home located in Sooke on beautiful Vancouver Island.

We provide safe, clean, temporary emergency accommodations for women and their children leaving abusive situations. It is a place free from the threat of violence.

The house is staffed 24 hours and the location of the house is confidential. You will meet other women who have lived through similar circumstances.

Our caring Staff at Annie’s Place will provide you with emotional support and personal assistance. They can put you in touch with agencies and resources offering legal, medical, housing or financial help.

They will encourage you to explore your options and will support you through the process of learning to live without violence. 

Please phone the house directly for assistance and intake.

IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOUR PARTNER IS ABOUT TO ATTACK YOU

Try to go to a lower risk area of the house - for example where there is a way out and access to a telephone.  Avoid the kitchen or garage where there are likely to be knives or other weapons; and avoid rooms where you might be trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.

CREATE A SAFETY PLAN

A personal safety plan is a way of helping you to protect yourself and your children.  It helps you plan in advance for the possibility of future violence and abuse. 

It also helps you to think about how you can increase your safety either within the relationship, or if you decide to leave. 

You can't stop your partner's violence and abuse - only they can do that. 

But there are things you can do to increase your own and your children's safety. 

You're probably already doing some things to protect yourself and your children - for example, there may be a pattern to the violence which may enable you to plan ahead to increase your safety.

TIPS FOR LEAVING

• Plan in advance how you might respond in different situations, including crisis situations.

• Think about the different options that may be available to you.

• Keep important papers and emergency telephone numbers in a safe, easily accessible place.

Teach your children to call 911 in an emergency, and what they would need to say including full name, address, and telephone number.

• Are there neighbours you can trust and where you can go in an emergency?  If so, tell them what is going on and ask them to call the police if they hear sounds of a violent attack.  Create a code word and share with your neighbour and children.  This word will alert them that in are in danger. 

• Rehearse an escape plan so in an emergency you and the children can get out safely.

Pack an emergency bag for yourself and your children, and hide it somewhere safe (for example, at a neighbour's or friend's house). Try to avoid mutual friends or family.

Try to keep a small amount of money on you at all times - including change for the phone and for bus fares.

• Know where the nearest phone is, and if you have a cell phone, try to keep it with you at all times.  Program emergency contact numbers for easy access.

• Be prepared to leave the house in an emergency

A HEALING HOME

SOOKE TRANSITION HOUSE SOCIETY PROVIDES A SAFE SHELTER FOR WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN

(AND THEIR SMALL PETS TOO)

The staff and Board of Directors at Sooke Transition House are dedicated to helping abused women and their children. Annie’s Transition House is a secure home for women fleeing abuse - whether it be physical. emotional, verbal, financial, spiritual, sexual or stalking/criminal harassment.

Any form of violence and abuse should be taken seriously. Most people understand that abuse may include physical violence, but abuse can be so much more than that. In general, interpersonal violence and abuse are about power, control, and restricting the rights and freedom of another person.

ABUSE IS….

the mistreatment of another person. It can occur in any of the following forms and may be criminal in nature. Abuse can be physical, financial, verbal, emotional, stalking/criminal harassment, sexual, elder abuse, spiritual or human trafficking. Sadly, there are many forms of abuse that can impact people in our community.

What Are Signs That Someone May Be Experiencing Abuse?

There are a lot of possible signs that someone may be experiencing abuse. Some common signs that a person has experienced the trauma of abuse include the following:

• ​Unexplained bruises or injuries

• ​Sudden changes in mood, activity level, and behavior

• Appears to be afraid of the person who may be abusing them

• Social isolation

• Lacks freedom or appears to be controlled by another person

• Seems to "walk on eggshells" around the person who may be abusing them

• Decreased level of self-esteem

• No longer participates in activities they used to enjoy

• Frequent absences from work or school