If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. You are worthy of safety and accessing local resources. Help is available. You are not alone.
What counts as Domestic Violence under Canadian law
In Canada, domestic violence (also called intimate partner violence, or IPV) refers to abusive behaviours used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another. This includes current and former partners.
The Criminal Code doesn't list "domestic violence" as a single offence, but it includes criminal acts that commonly occur in abusive relationships:
- Assault (s. 265)
- Uttering threats (s. 264.1)
- Criminal harassment / stalking (s. 264)
- Forcible confinement (s. 279)
- Sexual assault (s. 271β273)
- Mischief to property (s. 430)
- Psychological abuse or coercive control β not a standalone offence yet, but courts consider it during sentencing.
Courts treat these offences more seriously when they occur in a domestic context.
There is no limitation period for reporting domestic or sexual violence in Canada. Whether it happened last month or in 1990, you can still file a report today.
If you are under 18 and thinking about reporting domestic violence, it's important to know that in many places, police may have to involve a parent, guardian, or child protection services because of mandatory reporting laws. That doesn't mean you've done anything wrong β it reflects the responsibility adults have to respond when a young person may be at risk.
If you're worried about how this might affect your safety, your living situation, or your privacy, it can help to talk things through first with a support person, advocate, or legal advisor so you have a clearer sense of what to expect and what choices are available to you.
You don't have to figure this out on your own. Reaching out to a safe adult outside your home β like a school counsellor, teacher, doctor, or another trusted person who isn't connected to the person causing harm β can be a first step toward getting support, understanding your options, and making a plan that prioritizes your safety.
How to report
For emergencies. All 911 calls are audio recorded and will be provided to the Crown and lawyers involved in the case.
Attend the nearest police station when you're ready. The main desk may not be private and there can be wait times β bringing a support person can help.
- You can call ahead to request a specialist in domestic violence.
- If you're worried about being recognized, a mask or hat may help.
- You can request the officer's badge number and name.
Request to meet at a location of your choosing. Ask for accommodations if needed: translation, accessibility support, a support person.
- Write down the officer's badge number and name during the call.
- Ask if there is a Gender-Based Violence Unit or Domestic Violence specialist available.
What happens at the police station
Officers may wear body cameras and will take notes. They'll ask you to describe the situation generally, then ask more specific questions. You can request a support person, translation, or accessibility accommodations. Your personal information will be redacted before being shared with lawyers.
A more detailed statement taken after the initial report. This may be used as evidence in court. "Complainant" is the legal term for you in this process.
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Victim Services Units
Emotional support, safety planning, legal navigation, and community referrals.
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Sexual Assault Support Workers
If your case involves acts of sexual violence, support is available. Sexual assault often intersects with experiences of domestic violence.
- You are entitled to support from organizations assisting both DV/IPV survivors and sexual assault survivors.
- If you choose to report to the police, it is important to mention any and all experiences of sexual assault.
- Even if the sexual assault did not occur within the last 7 days, you still have the right to receive medical treatment at a hospital or health centre.
- For increased privacy, you may find it easier to seek medical attention at your local sexual health clinic. They can still provide referrals to local organizations specializing in GBV, IPV, and Sexual Assault.
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Specialized Units
Domestic Violence Units, Gender-Based Violence Units, and Victim Liaison Officers handle cases with more sensitivity and maintain communication throughout the investigation.
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Victim Witness Assistance Programs
Help you understand the court process and provide ongoing emotional support.
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Interpreter and Accessibility Services
Language interpretation and disability accommodations are available at request in most communities.
Understanding protection orders
A protection order β sometimes called a restraining order or peace bond β is a legal document issued by a court that restricts what an abusive person can do. It's designed to increase your physical safety.
- Legally prohibit the abuser from contacting or communicating with you in any way
- Require them to stay a certain distance away from you, your home, workplace, or children's school
- Remove them from a shared residence, even if they're on the lease or mortgage
- Award you temporary custody of children or restrict the abuser's access
- Restrict their possession of weapons
If the person named in the order violates any part of it, they may be arrested and charged.
Issued quickly in urgent situations, often without the abuser present. Usually temporary (days to weeks). Available 24/7 in many jurisdictions, often through police.
Civil orders obtained through family court. Typically used for current or former partners as part of a separation or divorce proceeding.
Criminal orders you can apply for if you fear someone may harm you. You don't need to have a relationship with them. Applied for through criminal court by police or the Crown.
Civil orders available in some provinces including Alberta and Manitoba. Covers various types of family violence and can include provisions for housing, children, and property.
- Document all incidents of abuse: dates, what happened, any witnesses
- Take photographs of any visible injuries or property damage
- Keep copies of any threatening messages or communications
- Speak with a Victim Services worker or Legal Aid lawyer before applying if possible
Province by province: legal definitions and support
Domestic violence includes physical assault, sexual assault, emotional abuse, financial control, and stalking/criminal harassment under the Domestic Violence Protection Act, 2000.
- Non-emergency: Contact local police or Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)
- Assaulted Women's Helpline: 1-866-863-0511 (24/7)
- Sheltersafe.ca: sheltersafe.ca
- Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/DV Treatment Centres: sadvtreatmentcentres.com
- Legal Aid Ontario: legalaid.on.ca
Domestic violence encompasses physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse within intimate or family relationships under the Family Law Act.
- Non-emergency: Contact local police or RCMP
- VictimLink BC: 1-800-563-0808 (24/7)
- BC Society of Transition Houses: bcsth.ca
- Ending Violence Association of BC: endingviolence.org
- Legal Services Society: lss.bc.ca
Domestic violence includes physical assault, sexual assault, emotional abuse, financial control, and stalking under the Protection Against Family Violence Act.
- Non-emergency: Contact local police or RCMP
- Alberta Family Violence Info Line: 310-1818 (24/7, toll-free in AB)
- Alberta Council of Women's Shelters: acws.ca
- Legal Aid Alberta: legalaid.ab.ca β 1-877-672-1010
Interpersonal violence includes physical, emotional, sexual, financial abuse, intimidation, and threats under the Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol.
- Saskatchewan 24/7 Crisis Line: 1-800-214-7083
- Provincial Association of Transition Houses: pathssk.org
Domestic violence includes physical harm, threats, emotional abuse, forced confinement, and sexual assault under the Domestic Violence and Stalking Act.
- Domestic Violence Crisis Line: 1-877-977-0007 (24/7)
- Manitoba Association of Women's Shelters: maws.mb.ca
Domestic violence involves repeated acts where one partner seeks to control the other through behaviours that cause harm.
- SOS Violence Conjugale: 1-800-363-9010 (24/7, bilingual)
- Educaloi Legal Information: educaloi.qc.ca
Domestic violence includes physical, verbal, emotional, psychological, sexual, financial, and spiritual abuse under the Domestic Legal Aid Act.
- NB Domestic Violence Outreach: 1-800-563-5599
- Public Legal Education NB: legal-info-legale.nb.ca
Intimate partner violence involves abuse and intimidation by one person against a current or former intimate partner.
- Transition House Association of Nova Scotia: thans.ca
- Nova Scotia Domestic Violence Court Program: courts.ns.ca
Family violence encompasses physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse within family or intimate partner relationships under the Victims of Family Violence Act.
- Anderson House Emergency Shelter: 1-800-240-9894
- Family Violence Prevention Services: fvps.ca
Family violence includes physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse, as well as threats and intimidation under the Family Violence Protection Act.
- NL Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre: 1-800-726-2743 (24/7)
- Violence Prevention Initiative: violencepreventioninitiative.ca
Family violence includes physical, psychological, emotional, financial abuse, forcible confinement, and threats under the Protection Against Family Violence Act.
- NWT Family Violence Crisis Line: 1-866-223-7775 (24/7)
- NWT Help Line: 1-800-661-0844 (24/7)
- YWCA NWT Family Violence Shelters: ywcanwt.ca
Family violence includes physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse within family or intimate partner relationships under the Family Abuse Intervention Act.
- Nunavut Domestic Violence Support: domesticshelters.org/help/nu
- Law Society of Nunavut: lawsociety.nu.ca
- Pauktuutit (Inuit women's resources): pauktuutit.ca
Domestic violence includes physical assault, sexual assault, emotional abuse, financial control, and stalking under the Family Violence Prevention Act.
- Kaushee's Place (Yukon Women's Transition Home): 867-668-5733
- Yukon Legal Services Society: legalaid.yk.ca
- End Violence Yukon: endviolenceyukon.ca
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