Infidelity, and other abuse
My friend has been married for 10 years, and has two kids under 10. She was physically abused in the first few months of her marriage (slapping,pushing, choking) , she was not in Canada at that time. Once the physical abuse stopped, the husband started self-harming, financial control, isolated her, and didn't let her work (she has a professional degree). In Canada, he took all her OSAP grants by lying to her that he doesn't have any funds. Took about 50k, in grants, child benefit and other benefits from her.
We got proof from other girls, pictures, chats, and his own confession that he has been sleeping around, spending all the money on dates (spent $1500 on one date) hotels, gifts etc. He shows fake driving license to pose as someone 10 years younger, unmarried, and looking for a committed relationship. He sexually abuses girls later on.
He is a serial predator and liar and trying to manipulate the kids into thinking that the mother is upset for no reason.
He also has an assault charge on him and will have court dates, this charge was laid by one of the girls he was seeing.
My friend wants a divorce asap, 1 year waiting will just drive her nuts. His family harasses her family in their home country, he doesn't provide any financial documents to calculate spouse or child support, he doesn't want to sign separation agreement either.
She will have to get legal aid, but without lawyer what can be done ? Can she file for a divorce herself? Someone suggested that she should go to the police and file a domestic abuse case.