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Handbook for women facing abuse published in Yellowknife

A book offering advice to women facing domestic violence has been published in Yellowknife.

The book, released by YWCA Yellowknife, is intended to formĀ a comprehensive guide for women suffering from abuse.

Its chapters deal with options available to women in that situation, such as emergency protection orders.

Issues like what happens to children, family law, housing, and income support are also explained.

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“Many women are not aware of the various different legal options they have that can help them get away and live violence-free,” said Lani Cooke, the book’s researcher and author.

“The book is written very clearly, in a non-judgmental, non-shaming way, so that women have the information accessible in their hands and can take action.”

In full:Ā Download a PDF copy of the book

Cooke spent time in a range of northern communities while preparing the book, talking to women about their experiences.Legal Pathways book cover

“It became very clear that women were afraid to talk about the violence in their homes – perhaps afraid of reprisals from a violent partner, or afraid of what others in the community might say and think,” Cooke told Moose FM.

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She hopes women who are afraid will find the book a comforting and empowering resource, especially whenĀ the options available can be confusing and daunting.

“The intent of the law is to stop this family violence, but there are all sorts of nuances, and complicated terminology, that I think are barriers to women seeking legal recourse in situations of violence,” said Cooke.

“This book has worked very hard to present this information in plain language.”

The book is entitled Legal Pathways – Spousal Violence in the NWT: A Resource for Women.

It’s available from the YWCA. More information is available on the organization’s website.

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