Call the police
If you feel you
are in danger from your abuser at any time, you can call 911
or your local police.
Consider
the following:
- If you are in
danger when the police come, they can protect you.
- They can help
you and your children leave your home safely.
- They can arrest
your abuser when they have enough proof that you have been abused.
- They can arrest
your abuser if a peace bond or restraining order has been violated.
- When the police
come, tell them everything the abuser did that made you call.
- If you have been
hit, tell the police where. Tell them how many times it happened.
Show them any marks left on your body. Marks may take time to show
up. If you see a mark after the police leave, call the police to take
pictures of the marks. They may be used in court.
- If your abuser
has broken any property, show the police.
- The police can
give you information on domestic violence programs and shelters.
- The police must
make a report saying what happened to you. Police reports can be used
in court if your abuser is charged with a crime.
- Get the officers'
names, badge numbers, and the report number in case you need a copy
of the report.
- A police report
can be used to help you get a restraining order.
Get support from friends and family
Tell your supportive
family, friends and co-workers what has happened.
Get medical help
If you have been
hurt, go to the hospital or your doctor.
Medical records
can be important in court cases. They can also help you get a restraining
order. Give all the information about your injuries and who hurt you
that you feel safe to give.
Many hospital
emergency departments have developed special procedures for assaulted
women. They are called “emergency protocols”.
If you go to your hospital emergency department, they can document
your injuries, and this may help if you go to court. Of course a doctor
in private practice can also document your injuries. Tell anyone who
examines you that your injuries are the result of abuse or assault
Special
medical concerns
- Sometimes
you may not even know you are hurt.
- What seems
like a small injury could be a big one.
- If you are
pregnant and you were hit in your stomach, tell the doctor. Many
abusers hurt unborn children.
- Domestic violence
victims can be in danger of closed head injuries. This is because
their abusers often hit them in the head. Get medical care right
away if any of these things happen after a hit to the head:
Memory loss
Dizziness
Problems with eyesight
Throwing-up
Headache that will not go away
Make notes
If you can, write
down everything as soon as possible after the assault. Write down what
everyone said, with times, dates, and names if possible. Write down
details of your injuries. Keep this in a safe place. You can use it
to refresh your memory if you testify in court, have been hurt, go to
the hospital or your doctor.
Find a safe place
It is not fair.
You should not have to leave your home because of what your abuser
has done. But sometimes it is the only way you will be safe. There
are shelters that can help you.
Follow this link to find contact information for Shelters
and Crisis Lines in Ontario listed by area code that also identify
accessibile services (TTY, accessible bedroom, and/or accessible washroom
with handrail and raised toilet, wheelchair access, services for Aboriginal
or francophone women specified).
Many shelters can arrange emergency transportation (for example, a
taxi) for you to get there.
You can read about Shelters and the kinds of services they provide
by following this link. Shelters
for Assaulted Women
You may want to
stay with family or friends. Be careful about staying with someone
who does not fully understand the situation. They may encourage you
to return to your partner which may only lead to more violence. Think
about where you will feel most safe, and whether your partner will
be able to find you.
Only you can decide when to leave, but it is best to leave when your
partner is not at home. However, if you are in immediate danger leave
right away. See the Emergency
Checklist for more information.
Legal
Services for Abused Women
Ways to keep
an abusive partner away:
Peace
bonds
If you fear that your partner will hurt you, your family or your property,
you can try to get a peace bond. This is for cases where you do not
want to call the police or the police have not charged him.
Restraining
orders
You can use the Family Law Act to stop your partner from harassing
you or your children if you are legally married, have lived common
law for three years or more, or lived together less than three years
but had a child together.
Dual
peace bonds/dual restraining orders
You may be told that you cannot get a peace bond or restraining order
unless you agree to sign one as well. This is called a dual peace
bond or dual restraining order.
Exclusive
possession
If you are legally married the court may decide, in some situations,
that you have a right to stay in the house or apartment where you
lived with your husband, and that he must leave. This is called “exclusive
possession of the matrimonial home”. This order does not stop your
husband from contacting you.
Criminal Law:
Responsibilities
of the police
Laying
charges
Countercharging
Justice
of the Peace
What
happens after an arrest?
Bail
Conditions
of release
Criminal
Court System:
Crown
Attorney
Victim/Witness
Assistance Programs
Other
court support
Criminal
trial
Domestic
Violence Courts
Getting money
for physical and psychological damage:
Criminal
Injuries Compensation Board
(416) 326-2900, toll-free 1-800-372-7463 (1-800-37-CRIME)
Suing
the abuser
Personal and
Family:
Your
rights under family law
Legal
aid
Community
legal clinics
Finding
a lawyer
Lawyer referral service
Support
and custody
Supervised
visiting
Sponsorship/immigration
status
Make
a safety plan
The above information
was obtained from the following sources:
The Domestic
Handbook
developed by the Oakland County Coordinating Council Against Domestic
Violence
Guide
to Services for Assaulted Women in Ontario
developed by Community
Info Toronto
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