Find a Lawyer » Canada Legal Guides » Ontario Legal Guides » Family Law & Divorce Ontario » Domestic Violence & Restraining Orders Ontario » Page 8
💡Under the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), you can legally break your lease with exactly 28 days of notice if you are escaping domestic or sexual violence. You must serve…
💡If Ontario police respond to a domestic violence call where children are present, they are legally required to notify the Children’s Aid Society (CAS). CAS will launch an initial investigation…
💼If you are fleeing domestic abuse in Canada and lack permanent immigration status, you can apply for a fee-exempt Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) for Family Violence. This provides legal status…
💡In Ontario, you can sue an abusive ex-partner in civil court for the tort of family violence, with damage awards sometimes exceeding $100,000 CAD. However, litigating these complex claims in…
💡An Exclusive Possession Order in Ontario grants one legally married spouse the sole right to live in the matrimonial home, banning the other spouse from entering. You can obtain this…
💡In Canada, there is absolutely no statute of limitations for reporting historical domestic violence to the police; you can press criminal charges decades later. However, if you want to file…
💡If you are facing domestic violence, you do not have to leave your home. Under the Ontario Family Law Act, a judge can grant an “Exclusive Possession Order” on an…
💡In Ontario, it is generally illegal to change the locks on a matrimonial home to lock out your legally married spouse without a judge’s permission. Doing so without an Exclusive…
💰Yes. If you are experiencing domestic violence in Ontario, you can receive a free 2-hour crisis certificate from Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) regardless of your income. For ongoing family court…
💡Under Section 810 of the Criminal Code, a Peace Bond in Ontario can legally last for a maximum of 12 months. It does not automatically renew. If you still fear…
⚖️Hiring a family lawyer for an urgent restraining order in Ontario typically requires an initial retainer of $3,500 to $7,500 CAD. The total cost to draft the materials and attend…
⚖️If an Ontario family court judge denies your restraining order application because it was frivolous, exaggerated, or used as a tactical weapon, you will likely be ordered to pay the…
🔍To secure a restraining order in an Ontario family court, you must clearly prove reasonable grounds to fear for your safety. The strongest applications include documented evidence such as police…
👪Under Ontario law, police and healthcare workers must report domestic violence to the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) if a child is exposed to the abuse. A CAS investigation prioritizes the…
💡In Ontario, a family court restraining order does not last forever by default. An Ontario judge determines the specific duration, which typically ranges from 1 to 3 years. However, in…
💡In Ontario, there are absolutely no court filing fees to apply for a family court restraining order. The province ensures safety is free. However, if you do not qualify for…
💡In Ontario, courts must prioritize the child’s physical and emotional safety above all else. Proven allegations of domestic abuse can lead to the abusive parent being granted only supervised parenting…
🚨In Ontario, you are strictly prohibited from personally serving family court documents to an abusive ex-partner. To ensure your safety and comply with the Family Law Rules, you must use…
💡To remove or change a family court restraining order or a criminal Peace Bond in Ontario, you cannot simply ignore it—even if you have reconciled. You must formally file a…
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Impaired Driving, Sexual Assault Defence, Domestic Violence
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 23 Worsley St, Barrie, Ontario
🏢 Est: 1983
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: DUI Defence, Sexual Assault, Domestic Assault, Bail Hearings
🗣️ Languages: English, Farsi
📍 Address: Unit 100, 400 Applewood Crescent, Vaughan, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2018
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: DUI Defence, Domestic Assault, Drug Trafficking, Bail Hearings, Youth Crimes
🗣️ Languages: English, Punjabi, Hindi
📍 Address: 1 Hunter St E, Hamilton, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2006
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Impaired Driving Defence, Domestic Assault, Bail Hearings
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 30 Duke St, St. Catharines, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2009
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Youth Criminal Justice, Sexual Assault Defence, Homicide Defence, Bail Hearings
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 717 Richmond St Unit 307, London, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2018
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Criminal Defence, Sexual Assault, DUI Defence, Domestic Assault, Bail Hearings
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 7900 Hurontario Street, Brampton, Ontario
🏢 Est: 1983
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: DUI Defence, Sexual Assault, Drug Crimes, Bail Hearings
🗣️ Languages: English, Punjabi, Hindi
📍 Address: 555 Southdale Rd E, London, Ontario
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Child Protection, Refugee Claims, Legal Aid, Custody Disputes
🗣️ Languages: English
📍 Address: 50 Dunlop St E Unit 220G, Barrie, Ontario
✨ Free Consultation
🎯 Specialization: Domestic Assault, Sexual Assault, DUI Defence, Youth Offences, Bail Hearings
🗣️ Languages: English, Farsi, French
📍 Address: 65 Front St E, Toronto, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2015
🎯 Specialization: Intersection of Family and Criminal Law, Collaborative Law
🗣️ Languages: English, French
📍 Address: 10720 Yonge St, Richmond Hill, Ontario
🏢 Est: 2016
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Homicide Unit, Sexual Assault Unit, Major Fraud Branch, Forensics, Vice and Drugs,…
📍 100 Wilson St, Hamilton, Ontario
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Special Constables, Foot Patrol, Emergency Response, Building Access
📍 Lawson Hall, 1151 Richmond St, London, Ontario
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Criminal Investigations Bureau, Community Response Unit, Patrol Division, Traffic Enforcement
📍 77 Centre St N, Oshawa, Ontario
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Criminal Record Checks, Vulnerable Sector Checks, Freedom of Information Requests, Parade Permits
📍 110 Fairview Rd, Barrie, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Education and Training Unit, 9-1-1 Communications Centre, Tactical Support
📍 4060 Anderson St, Whitby, Ontario
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Accident Reports, Occurrence Reports, Witness Statements
📍 7750 Hurontario St, Brampton, Ontario
📅 Appt. Recommended
⚙️ Services: Court Forms, Filing Assistance
📍 80 Dundas St, London, Ontario
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Collision Reports
📍 9 Hanna Ave, Toronto, Ontario
⚙️ Services: Restorative Justice, Victim Support, Offender Rehabilitation, Community Mediation
📍 161 Elgin St 3rd Floor, Ottawa, Ontario
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome
⚙️ Services: Community Foot Patrol Unit, Downtown Safety, Bike Patrol
📍 183 Dundas St, London, 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.
