Find a Lawyer » Canada Legal Guides » Ontario Legal Guides » Family Law & Divorce Ontario » Domestic Violence & Restraining Orders Ontario
🚨While you cannot obtain a civil family court restraining order on a weekend or statutory holiday, immediate emergency protection is available through the criminal justice system. If you are in…
🐶The SafePet Ontario program helps individuals fleeing domestic violence by providing temporary, confidential foster care for their pets. This allows survivors to enter a Violence Against Women (VAW) shelter safely,…
💡Under the Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, an abusive ex cannot discharge a civil court damage award arising from intentionally inflicted bodily harm or sexual assault. If you won a…
💳Financial abuse often involves an ex-partner intentionally defaulting on a joint mortgage to ruin your credit. In Ontario, you can protect yourself by proactively notifying your lender and applying to…
🔍A family court restraining order in Ontario is a civil order, not a criminal conviction, and is entered into the police CPIC database solely for active enforcement. Under the Ontario…
🚨In Ontario, you can absolutely get a family court restraining order against a common-law partner under the Family Law Act, provided you have lived together. You do not need to…
💡You can apply for a family court restraining order in Ontario without a lawyer by completing Form 8 (Application), Form 14 (Notice of Motion), Form 14A (Affidavit), and the mandatory…
💡If your ex-partner violates an Ontario family court restraining order, it is treated as a federal criminal offence under Section 127 of the Criminal Code, or can be addressed as…
💡Although Ontario has proposed a mechanism to automatically recognize out-of-province civil restraining orders under Bill 119, Protecting Ontario’s Streets and Communities Act, 2026 (Schedule 4, which proposes the Enforcement of…
💡In Ontario, the law recognizes the unique trauma of domestic violence. Under the Limitations Act, 2002, there is no time limit (limitation period) to sue an ex-partner for civil damages…
🚨If an abusive ex-partner maliciously cancels your extended health benefits without your consent during a separation, you can file an emergency motion at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Judges…
💡Retrieving non-restricted firearms in Ontario after a Section 810 Peace Bond expires is not automatic. The process involves applications to both the local police and the RCMP Chief Firearms Officer,…
💡In Ontario, filing for a Peace Bond is completely free because it is processed through the criminal justice system by the Crown. Similarly, obtaining a standalone Family Law Restraining Order…
💡In Ontario, an ex-partner using smart home devices (like Nest thermostats, Ring cameras, or Amazon Alexa) to spy on you, change your home’s temperature, or lock you out is committing…
⚠️In Ontario, employers have a strict legal duty under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) to protect workers from domestic violence that may spill into the workplace. Failing to…
🎖️When an active-duty Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member is accused of domestic violence in Ontario, both local civilian police and Military Police hold jurisdiction. Obtaining an emergency restraining order at…
⚠Under Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), you have the absolute right to revoke an abusive ex-partner’s access to your medical records. To secure your privacy, you must actively…
💡In Ontario, suing an abusive ex-partner for civil damages involves specific legal costs. Civil litigators typically charge either an hourly rate ranging from $300 to $700 CAD or operate on…
💡International students in Ontario are fully protected by Canadian criminal and family laws. Reporting intimate partner violence to the police will not cause the government to cancel your IRCC study…
💡In Ontario, a physician charged with a domestic violence offence must legally report the charge to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) as soon as reasonably practicable.…
💡In Ontario, defending against a domestic assault charge where the other party initiated the violence generally requires proving self-defence under the Criminal Code. A criminal defence lawyer must demonstrate that…
🎯 Specialization: High Conflict Divorce, Business Valuation, Domestic Violence, Marriage Contracts
🗣️ Languages: English, Vietnamese
📍 Address: 375 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2008
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Criminal Defence, Domestic Violence, Family Law, Civil Litigation
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 85 Eleanor Cir, Richmond Hill, Ontario
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Legal Aid, Child Protection, Divorce, Custody Disputes
🗣️ Languages: English, Hindi
📍 Address: 92 Caplan Ave, Barrie, Ontario
🎯 Specialization: High-Net-Worth Divorce, International Family Law, Complex Business Litigation, Asset Tracing
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 277 Lakeshore Rd E, Oakville, Ontario
🏢 Est: 1990
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: DUI Defense, Domestic Assault, Bail Hearings
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 95 Mural St, Richmond Hill, Ontario
🎯 Specialization: DUI Defence, Drug Offences, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence
🗣️ Languages: English, Italian
📍 Address: 216 Chrislea Rd Suite 501, Vaughan, Ontario
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Murder Defence, Cybercrime, Dangerous Offender Hearings, Sexual Assault
🗣️ Languages: English, French
📍 Address: 66 Slater St. #1720, Ottawa, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2011
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Bail Hearings, Impaired Driving Defence, Domestic Assault
🗣️ Languages: English, French
📍 Address: 17075 Leslie St, Newmarket, Ontario
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Professional Regulation, Disciplinary Proceedings, Sexual Assault Defence, White Collar Crime
🗣️ Languages: English, French
📍 Address: 180 Elgin St, Ottawa, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2019
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: DUI Defence, Domestic Assault, Bail Hearings, Fraud Defence, Sexual Assault Defence
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 2 County Ct Blvd, Brampton, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2000
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Court Forms, Filing Assistance
📍 80 Dundas St, London, Ontario
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Collision Reports, Insurance Verification
📍 3800 Constable Henshaw Blvd, Burlington, Ontario
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Accident Report Stickers, Incident Reports
📍 1050 Sandalwood Pkwy W, Brampton, Ontario
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Accident Reports
📍 160 Clair Rd W, Guelph, Ontario
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Records Management, Background Checks, Freedom of Information, Fingerprinting Services
📍 2670 Queensview Dr, Ottawa, Ontario
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Collision Reports, Damage Reported Stickers
📍 110 Fairview Rd, Barrie, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Police Dog Services, K9 Unit, Search and Rescue, Explosives Detection
📍 44 Beechwood Dr, Toronto, Ontario
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations, Community Response Unit, Traffic Services
📍 5230 Finch Ave W, Toronto, Ontario
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Criminal Investigations, Community Response Unit, Neighborhood Officers, Youth Services, Primary Response Unit
📍 51 Parliament St, Toronto, Ontario
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Criminal Division, Family Division, Court Administration, Crown Attorney Office, Victim Witness Assistance
📍 44 Queen St, Brantford, Ontario
Welcome to the Ontario Domestic Violence & Restraining Orders guide centre. Here you will find comprehensive resources covering everything from applying for a peace bond to securing exclusive possession of a family home, based on current provincial regulations.
Domestic violence and intimate partner abuse are serious issues that require immediate legal and physical protection. In Ontario, the law provides robust mechanisms to shield victims and their children from harm, threats, and harassment. Navigating the legal avenues for protection involves understanding both family law remedies, governed by the provincial Family Law Act, and criminal law interventions under the federal Criminal Code. Whether you need urgent protection in Toronto or are looking to secure a restraining order in Thunder Bay, safety is the primary focus of the justice system.
Recognizing the signs of abuse and knowing your legal options can be life-saving. Protective orders can restrict an abusive partner from coming near you, your workplace, or your children’s school. By taking swift legal action, survivors can create a secure boundary, allowing them to focus on healing and safely restructuring their lives away from violence.
Protective orders in Ontario are handled by different courts depending on the nature of your case. If you are dealing with a family breakdown, divorce, or child-related disputes, you will typically apply for a restraining order through the Ontario Superior Court of Justice or the specialized Family Court. If your situation does not involve a family law dispute, or if the police have laid criminal charges, protection is often established through a peace bond in the Ontario Court of Justice.
Local infrastructure plays a crucial role in immediate safety. Police services across the province, including municipal forces like the Ottawa Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), are responsible for responding to emergencies and enforcing these orders. Additionally, community organizations like the Victim Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) and local women’s shelters provide essential support, safety planning, and crisis intervention for those fleeing domestic violence.
Fleeing domestic violence and navigating the court system at the same time is extremely dangerous and emotionally overwhelming. We strongly advise against attempting to represent yourself in court or drafting legal protection applications without a professional. A mistake in your application or a failure to clearly articulate the risk can result in an order being denied, leaving you vulnerable to further harm.
An experienced family or criminal lawyer understands how to present evidence of abuse effectively and can file emergency applications to secure your safety as quickly as possible. You can find a list of relevant local lawyers, crisis hotlines, and government agencies at the top of this page. Relying on professional legal counsel and victim support services is vital for securing a legally enforceable layer of protection for you and your family.
A restraining order is issued by a family court and is used against a former spouse or partner with whom you have lived or shared a child. A peace bond is a criminal court order that can be placed on anyone, regardless of your relationship, if you have a reasonable fear they will harm you or your property.
You do not strictly need a lawyer to apply for a peace bond; you can report your fear directly to the police or a Justice of the Peace. However, having a lawyer is highly beneficial when applying for a restraining order in family court, as the legal tests and paperwork are much more complex.
There are no court filing fees to apply for a restraining order or a peace bond in Ontario. If you hire a lawyer, you will pay their legal fees, but victims of domestic violence often qualify for Legal Aid Ontario services or free emergency legal advice certificates.
Breaching a family court restraining order or a criminal peace bond is a serious criminal offence. If the person violates the conditions—such as contacting you or coming near your home—you should call the police immediately, as the offender can be arrested and face criminal charges.
A standard restraining order prevents contact, but to legally force a married spouse out of a shared house, you must apply for an “exclusive possession” order of the matrimonial home under the Family Law Act.
In situations of immediate danger, a lawyer can file an “ex parte” motion, which means applying to the court without giving advance notice to the abuser. A judge can review these urgent applications and grant a temporary restraining order on the very same day.
A peace bond typically lasts for up to one year and cannot be renewed without a new application. Family court restraining orders do not have a standard time limit; they can last for a specific period, until the child reaches a certain age, or indefinitely, depending on what the judge decides.
