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Abuse and Family Violence
Do you know a woman who is being abused? A legal rights handbook

Part 10: Legal and community resources in Ontario

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Crisis helplines
Victim services
Legal services for victims of violence
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February 2025 Previous page Next page

Do you know a woman who is being abused? A legal rights handbook

Part 1: Introduction

What kind of person abuses his partner?

What legal issues will I need to deal with?

Part 2: Preparing to leave

What is a good safety plan?

Can I take my children with me?

What happens if I call the police?

What if I am hurt?

Where can I go if I leave my partner?

Part 3: Next steps

Can I take money with me?

What about online accounts?

What about income assistance from Ontario Works?

What about financial support from my partner?

Where will I live?

Compensation for victims of crime

Part 4: The criminal process

How do the police decide who to charge?

What can the police charge my partner with?

What if the police do not charge my partner?

What if the police charge and arrest my partner?

What happens if my partner is released?

What happens if my partner breaks a condition?

When will my partner’s criminal case end?

Which court will hear the case?

Will someone help me if my partner is charged?

What if the police arrest or charge me?

Part 5: The criminal trial

What happens at the trial?

What documents will my partner get to see?

Do I have to testify at the trial?

Can my partner make excuses to defend themself?

What sentence could my partner get?

What if the judge decides my partner is not guilty?

Compensation for victims of crime

What can I get compensation for?

Part 6: Protecting yourself

Family court orders

Criminal court orders

Part 7: Your rights under family law

What is decision-making responsibility?

What is parenting time?

What is child support?

What is spousal support?

How are support orders enforced?

How do we divide our property?

Can I get a divorce?

Can my family be reported to a Children’s Aid Society?

How do we decide our family law issues?

How does the court make decisions about children?

Part 8: Immigration issues

Will I be forced to leave Canada if I leave my partner?

Talk to an immigration lawyer

Will the police contact immigration authorities?

Part 9: Issues affecting Indigenous women

Part 10: Legal and community resources in Ontario

Crisis helplines

Victim services

Legal services for victims of violence

General legal services

Legal information

Part 11: Glossary terms

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This website has general information for people in Ontario, Canada. It’s not legal advice.

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