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You have legal rights as a survivor. Here's what they actually mean.
Canada's Victims Bill of Rights gives survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence five legal rights. Most people don't know this exists โ€” and the system doesn't always go out of its way to tell you. So we're telling you.
We're going to go through each one in plain language. Not the legal version โ€” the "what does this mean for me right now" version.
Okay. Now let's talk about what you actually need to know, and what your options are from here.
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Take it at whatever pace works for you. Save it, screenshot it, share it with someone you trust. There's no deadline here โ€” this page will be here when you need it.

Your five rights under the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights

01
The Right to Information
You have the right to know what is happening with your case. That means timely updates, information about support services available to you, and clarity on each step of the process as it happens. You can ask your investigating officer for updates on charges, court dates, and next steps. You don't have to wait for them to come to you.
02
The Right to Protection
Your safety and your privacy are protected under the law. This means measures can be put in place to keep you physically safe and to make sure your personal information isn't exposed during investigation or court proceedings. This includes restraining orders, peace bonds, protection orders, and publication bans. You don't have to wait for these to be offered to you โ€” you can ask for them.
03
The Right to Participate
You're not just a witness in your own case. You have the right to have your voice heard at key stages including bail hearings, sentencing, and by writing a Victim Impact Statement. You also have the right to seek legal representation โ€” someone who is there specifically for you, not just for the Crown's case.
04
The Right to Restitution
You may be able to seek financial compensation for the real impact this has had on your life. That can include medical expenses, therapy and counselling costs, lost wages, and compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
05
The Right to Support Services
Counselling, advocacy, crisis support, and community referrals are available to you. Not as a reward for reporting, not contingent on anything โ€” just available. These services exist for you.

What each right looks like in practice

You can ask your investigating officer for updates on charges, court dates, and next steps. Here are additional avenues by province:

  • Ontario: Contact the Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) through the Ministry of the Attorney General. Victim Support Line: 1-888-579-2888.
  • British Columbia: The Victim Safety Unit (VSU) provides ongoing notifications. Register at 1-877-315-8822 or [email protected]. VictimLink BC: 1-800-563-0808, 24/7.
  • Yukon: Yukon Department of Justice Victim Services โ€” call 867-667-8500 or email [email protected]. Free Independent Legal Advice also available.
  • Manitoba: Manitoba Justice Victim Services โ€” contact directly to be assigned a worker through the Victim Rights Support Service (VRSS).
  • Northwest Territories: NWT Justice Victim Services or Yellowknife Victim Services: 867-767-9261.
  • Nunavut: Email [email protected] or call 1-866-456-5216.
  • Alberta: Connect with a Victim Services worker through your local police service, or call Alberta Sexual Assault Services: 1-866-403-8000.
  • Saskatchewan: Contact your local police service to be connected with a Victim Services worker.
  • Quebec: Your regional CAVAC โ€” call 1-866-532-2822 for case information in French or English, free of charge.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador: Victim Services has 11 offices province-wide. Call 709-729-7970 (collect calls accepted).
  • Prince Edward Island: Victim Services in Charlottetown (902-368-4582) or Summerside (902-888-8218).
  • New Brunswick: Sexual Violence NB support line: 506-454-0437 (7 days a week, 5pmโ€“8am).
  • Nova Scotia: Department of Justice Victim Services, plus a free Independent Legal Advice program: novascotia.ca/sexualassaultlegaladvice.

Peace Bonds are issued under Canada's Criminal Code and are valid in every province and territory. You don't need a lawyer and there's no fee. Contact local police to request one. They last up to 12 months and can be renewed.

Restraining Orders are civil orders typically used when the person is a current or former partner. The process varies by province โ€” contact your local Legal Aid office or a Victim Services worker for help.

Protection Orders to Remove Someone From Your Home: If you share a home with the person who hurt you, you can apply for a court order giving you exclusive possession โ€” even if they're on the lease. In urgent situations, emergency protection orders can be issued the same day.

Publication Bans: In sexual assault cases, if you request a publication ban, the court must grant it. Tell the Crown attorney handling your case โ€” they make the formal application on your behalf.

  • Ontario: Victims of Crime Compensation Program โ€” contact Victim Services or call 1-888-579-2888.
  • British Columbia: Crime Victim Assistance Program โ€” apply through Victim Services BC.
  • Alberta: Victims of Crime Financial Benefits Program โ€” call 780-427-7217 to apply.
  • Saskatchewan: Victims Compensation Program โ€” must apply within two years of reporting. Contact Saskatchewan Victim Services.
  • Manitoba: Compensation for Victims of Crime Program โ€” call 204-945-0899 or 1-800-262-9344 toll-free.
  • Quebec: IVAC program โ€” covers medical, dental, therapy, and emergency financial assistance. No time limit. Contact CAVAC at 1-866-532-2822 for help applying.
  • New Brunswick: Compensation for Victims of Crime Program โ€” contact Department of Justice Victim Services.
  • Nova Scotia: Criminal Injuries Counselling Program โ€” counselling support only (up to $4,118 over two years). Apply within one year of reporting where possible.
  • Prince Edward Island: Covers lost income, pain and suffering, medical and counselling expenses. Contact Victim Services in Charlottetown (902-368-4582) or Summerside (902-888-8218).
  • Newfoundland and Labrador: No victim compensation program currently exists. Contact Victim Services at 709-729-7970 for alternative options.
  • Northwest Territories: No formal compensation program. Emergency financial assistance may be available through Victim Services.
  • Nunavut: Limited travel-related assistance through the Nunavut Victim Travel Support Program. Contact Government of Nunavut Victim Services.
  • Yukon: Emergency financial assistance through Victim Services. Call 867-667-8500.
  • Crisis Lines: Available 24/7, anonymous, and free. You don't need to have reported anything. You can call just to talk, or to figure out your next step.
  • Sexual Assault Centres and Rape Crisis Centres: Community-based organizations staffed by specialists in supporting survivors. They offer one-on-one support, help navigating the justice system, court accompaniment, and referrals. Many have drop-in options โ€” no appointment needed.
  • Victim Services: Available at police services across Canada. They can accompany you to police interviews and court, help you understand your case, assist with Victim Impact Statements, and connect you with community resources. They work for you โ€” not the Crown or police. You don't need a report to access them in most provinces.
  • Legal Aid and Independent Legal Advice: Several provinces offer free legal advice specifically for survivors. You can speak with a lawyer about your rights and options without it costing anything. Legal Aid programs exist in every province and territory.
A note worth saying out loud: a lot of survivors don't access support services because they don't feel like they've "done enough" to deserve them. None of that disqualifies you. These services exist precisely because what you're navigating is hard, and no one should have to do it alone.

Where to get support, by province

Assaulted Women's Helpline1-866-863-0511
24/7, multilingual, anonymous.
Ontario SADT CentresFind nearest โ†’
Sexual Assault / Domestic Violence Treatment Centres providing immediate medical care and evidence collection.
Legal Aid OntarioVisit site โ†’
Free legal representation for survivors who qualify. Duty counsel available at court.
Ontario Victim Support Line1-888-579-2888
Crisis support, helplines, shelters, and online chat, 24/7.
Male Survivors (Family Service Toronto)1-866-887-0015
For men who have experienced sexual abuse. Province-wide 24/7 information and referral, ages 16+.
211 OntarioVisit site โ†’
Service navigation for shelters, financial assistance, legal supports, newcomers, 2SLGBTQIA+ services, and more.
VictimLink BC1-800-563-0808
24/7 information, referrals, and immediate support.
Battered Women's Support ServicesVisit site โ†’
Free and confidential support for women experiencing intimate partner violence or sexual assault.
Salal Sexual Violence Support CentreVisit site โ†’
24-hour crisis and information line for those impacted by sexualized violence.
Legal Services Society of BCVisit site โ†’
Free legal advice for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
Ending Violence Association of BCVisit site โ†’
Provincial organization supporting and coordinating anti-violence services across BC.
211 British ColumbiaVisit site โ†’
Province-wide service navigation database and helpline.
Yukon Victim ServicesVisit site โ†’
Crisis support, safety planning, court information, and emergency supports.
Kaushee's Place867-668-5733
24/7 support line including call, text, and online support. Emergency shelter for women and children escaping violence.
Sexualized Assault Support Line1-844-967-7275
24-hour confidential line for victims of sexualized assault of all genders, ages, and sexualities.
Independent Legal Advice ProgramVisit site โ†’
Free, confidential legal advice for victims of intimate partner violence or sexualized assault in Yukon.
Family Violence Info LineCall/text 310-1818
24/7 confidential help in 170+ languages.
ONE Line for Sexual Violence1-866-403-8000
Call, text, or chat daily for emotional support, information, and referral.
Alberta Council of Women's Shelters1-866-331-3933
24/7 shelter directory and toll-free line.
Legal Aid AlbertaVisit site โ†’
Legal help for eligible Albertans including family-violence matters and emergency protection orders.
211 AlbertaVisit site โ†’
Free, confidential, live-answer navigation 24/7.
Manitoba Justice Victim Services1-866-484-2846
Support for victims of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, and serious crimes.
Klinic โ€” Sexual Assault Crisis Line1-888-292-7565
Support regardless of gender or location in Manitoba.
Legal Aid ManitobaVisit site โ†’
Legal help for eligible Manitobans.
211 ManitobaVisit site โ†’
24/7 information and referral for health, social, government, legal, and violence-related supports.
Government of Saskatchewan Victim ServicesVisit site โ†’
Crisis intervention, information, support, and referrals after crime or abuse.
Sexual Assault Services of SaskatchewanVisit site โ†’
Provincial network coordinating support and advocacy for people affected by sexual violence.
Legal Aid Saskatchewan1-800-667-3764
Legal services in family and criminal law for eligible people.
211 SaskatchewanVisit site โ†’
24/7 community and social-services navigation.
SOS violence conjugale1-800-363-9010
Free, bilingual, anonymous, confidential, 24/7 for intimate-partner violence.
Sexual Violence Helpline1-888-933-9007
Free, bilingual, anonymous, confidential, 24/7 for sexual violence.
CAVAC1-866-532-2822
Free, confidential support for victims and witnesses of crime throughout Quรฉbec.
Commission des services juridiquesVisit site โ†’
Quรฉbec's legal-aid system.
211 QuรฉbecVisit site โ†’
Community and social-services navigation to local supports.
NS Department of Justice Victim ServicesVisit site โ†’
Provincial victim-services offices providing information, support, and assistance.
Neighbours, Friends and Families1-855-225-0220
24/7 abuse-and-violence support line.
Sexual Violence Independent Legal AdviceVisit site โ†’
Free legal advice for sexual assault survivors in Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia Legal AidVisit site โ†’
Legal help, information, advice, and representation.
211 Nova ScotiaVisit site โ†’
Province-wide 24/7 information and referral service.
Victim Services Office NBVisit site โ†’
Court information, emotional support, and referrals across the province.
Sexual Violence New BrunswickVisit site โ†’
Support line available 5pmโ€“8am, 7 days a week.
New Brunswick Legal AidVisit site โ†’
Legal-aid offices and family/criminal law help for eligible people.
211 New BrunswickVisit site โ†’
24/7 information and referral for health, social, government, legal, and violence-related supports.
Victim Services PEI902-368-4582
Assistance for victims of crime anywhere on the Island.
PEI Rape and Sexual Assault CentreVisit site โ†’
Survivor-centred therapy and systems navigation. Serves men and offers a male-survivors group.
RISE ProgramVisit site โ†’
Free, confidential legal information and advice for people 16+ who have experienced sexual violence or intimate-partner violence.
211 PEIVisit site โ†’
24/7 live-answer navigation with interpretation in 240+ languages.
Victim Services NL709-729-7970
Free support for victims โ€” even if the crime was not reported or no charge was laid.
End Sexual Violence NL1-800-726-2743
24-hour support and information line for people impacted by sexual violence, all genders.
The Journey ProjectVisit site โ†’
Trauma-informed legal information, navigation, and referrals for survivors anywhere in the province.
211 NewfoundlandVisit site โ†’
24/7 navigation for violence and abuse resources, legal supports, housing, and more.
NWT Victim ServicesVisit site โ†’
Safety planning, victim impact statements, court information, emergency funding, and local worker contacts.
Native Women's Association of the NWTVisit site โ†’
Referrals, accompaniment, emergency accommodation, and on-call support.
NWT Family Violence Shelters1-866-223-7775
24/7 crisis line and help locating nearest available shelter.
YWCA NWTVisit site โ†’
Family-violence shelters and free Independent Legal Advice and Representation Program.
211 Northwest TerritoriesVisit site โ†’
Free, confidential, live-answer navigation 24/7.
Nunavut Victim Services1-866-456-5216
Information, emotional support, court accompaniment, and help navigating the justice system.
YWCA Agvik NunavutVisit site โ†’
Emergency shelter, counselling, and support services for women and children experiencing violence.
Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help LineVisit site โ†’
24/7 confidential crisis support and emotional assistance.
Legal Services Board of NunavutVisit site โ†’
Free legal advice and representation for eligible individuals.
211 NunavutVisit site โ†’
Searchable service directory for community, social, health, and government supports.
More provinces and territories being added regularly.