When we think of the word "Independence" words such as freedom, autonomy, self-reliant may come up. These words are at the opposite end of the scale of family violence. When a woman leaves an abusive situation some women are ready, with support, to move on independently; some women will need some additional skills to help them prepare. The focus of this course will be assisting with basic skills for independence and referring those who have experienced violence to other resources that they may need.