Will someone help me if my partner is charged?
If your partner is charged, the police and the Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) are available to help you.
Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP)
There is a VWAP office in or near every court in Ontario. To find the VWAP in your area you can call the Victim Support Line at 1-888-579-2888, or search the online Victim Services Directory at ovss.findhelp.ca.
VWAP’s staff help you to understand the court process and give you updates on the court case. They help you communicate with the Crown and the police.
If your partner is held in jail, you can register with VWAP’s Victim Notification Service to be told when your partner is released. It is important for you to give the police an up-to-date phone number so that they can call you.
If your partner is held for a bail hearing, VWAP staff will try to call you before they are released. They will ask if you are worried about your safety and if there is anything else that you would like the Crown to know.
If your partner is released on bail, VWAP staff can tell you what happened at the bail hearing, get you a copy of the bail conditions, and explain the conditions to you. See What happens if my partner is released?
If your partner is going to have a trial, VWAP staff can arrange a pre-trial interview with the Crown to discuss the evidence in your partner’s case.
VWAP staff cannot talk about the evidence, but they can let you know what to expect during the trial. They might give you a tour of the court. They can also ask for a copy of your police statement for you to review before the trial. They can refer you to other services that might offer you support, such as help planning for your safety.
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