Project Blue Sky - Domestic Violence Information Homepage

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Without intervention, domestic violence will most likely escalate with time. This is why it is important to seek help as early as possible. If you are mother, it is especially important to consider protecting your children as the effects of abuse and witnessing violence are tremendous. Children can be seriously traumatized for life or even killed as a result of domestic violence.

Abusive men may apologize and promise it will never happen again. However, it is common for abusers to repeat the cycle of violent behaviour, with increasing severity. This repetitive cycle is a typical case of domestic violence. You may come to believe that you are responsible for the abuser's anger or behaviour. You are not. The abuser is responsible for his own actions.

To get an idea of what steps you can take to improve your situation, click on the Flowchart.

If you would like to further discuss your options or work on a safety plan, please contact us. Making changes to a well-established pattern of behaviour is difficult, but we are here to help and support you on your journey towards a life free of violence and fear.

Materials provided here are intended as general information only. If you would like to have details regarding your particular situation, please consult a social service agency or a lawyer.

You can call police and/or social service agency anytime at any point.

Call 911
Leave Home
Shelter
You can choose to leave the home where the abusive partner stays. You can request accompaniment by calling (416) 808-2222. If you have no place to stay, emergency shelters can provide you with food, clothing, counselling, housing service and legal advice service, depending on the shelter.
Contact Social Agency
Laying charges Yourself
You can lay charges on the alleged perpetrator without police intervention. You go to the Justice of Peace (J.P.) who has an office at the local courts and explain the situation to him/her. S/he may either issue a summons or a warrant of arrest and the perpetrator would have to answer the charges in court. Please contact a lawyer or social worker to further discuss your concerns. Remember that a J.P. may refuse to issue a summons or a warrant if he/she determines information to be insufficient.
Restraining Order
It is a court order that legally tells your partner to stay away from you. It is enforceable by police.

Local police and lawyers can help you with issuing the restarining order. Or you can go to a Justice of the Peace to request one. A hearing will take place with both parties and if there are reasonable grounds that your safety is being threatened, a judge will grant it.
Exclusive Possession Order
You may be granted an exclusive right to live in your home without your partner living there until you find another place. You need to decide carefully in requesting this order. It may not be a good idea for your partner to know where you live.
Peace Bond
If a victim has reasonable grounds to be fearful and can display this to the Justice of the Peace (J.P.), J.P. may order the abuser to appear in court and to promise in writing to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. This is also called "entering into recognizance." Refusing to comply with the terms of the bond may result in a jail term of up to twelve months. The bond expires after one year.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, you can apply to Legal Aid Ontario. Legal Aid may subsidize a lawyer depending on your financial situation

Please remember that the conditions the court orders will not guarantee your safety.

Breaching of court orders is a criminal offence and charges will be laid. However, these orders protect you only if your partner obeys them. For this reason, you should make plans to protect your safety.

Reference: Toronto Police: "Toronto Domestic Violence Manual," October 19999