Internet and Email Safety

  PROTECTING YOURSELF If you are dealing with a partner or ex-partner who at any time has: Monitored your phone calls Stopped you from visiting with your friends or family Had his family and friends keep tabs on you Become extremely jealous when you’ve seemed interested in other people Limited your access to the car and/or tracked the car mileage Controlled the family money Threatened your...

Legal Information

Any type of domestic violence is against the law. There are many situations in which charges of a domestic nature may arise, the most common one is when a man is charged with having assaulted his female partner. But, remember, if you are being abused in ANY way it is your right to seek justice and to receive help. This can only be achieved by coming forward to the proper authorities and making a...

Risk Assessment

Research has found that the use of a good assessment tool is crucial to help identify possible dangerous situations. The Domestic Violence Death Review Committee states that without an adequate assessment tool when trying to identify the potential danger level of an abusive situation, there may be the possibility that the victim may be placed in greater danger by not providing a safety plan that...

Safety Planning

In an abusive relationship your personal safety is at risk. The abuser's JEKYLL and HIDE personality is unpredictable at first, however, the longer you stay, the more predictable it may become. It is important to try and see a pattern, what triggers the abuser to a ct in a particular way. In essence this form of personal flexibility (you are adapting to his outburst's) becomes a subtle form of...

The Day of Court

The day of the hearing you should: Have your witnesses there and ready. Be on time. Have your evidence ready. If you have subpoenaed witnesses or documents and they are not in court, you should inform the judge. Dress neatly. Speak directly to the judge; he or she will understand if you feel nervous. Always address the judge as “Your Honor.” Be prepared to spend all day in court. (There may...

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Attorney

General questions about divorce or custody cases Have you or any members of your firm ever represented my partner or anyone associated with my partner? Do you handle divorce or custody cases? How many of these cases have you handled? How many of them were contested? How many of them went to trial? Did any of the cases involve expert witnesses? How many were before the judge(s) who will hear my...

Resources for Victims

As a victim, you have many resources and programs available to you. We recommend the first thing you do is to register with the Victim Registry. This will give you the information you need to receive on bail notification, changes in release conditions, and for further clarity on your rights as a victim. The Information Guide to Assist Victims is a quick look up to some of this information. The...

Canadian Human Rights Act

Summary of the: Hate Provisions Canada’s Human Rights Act forbids behaviour that exposes a person to hatred or contempt. Specifically, section 13 of the Act makes it an offence to communicate by telephone (or to cause to be so communicated, by means of the facilities of a telecommunication undertaking) any messages likely to cause hatred or contempt. The Anti-Terrorism Act, passed in December...

Courtroom Etiquette

Having to appear in court is not a pleasant thought. The courtroom can be an intimidating place and can make victims feel unwelcome. But, if you have to go, familiarizing yourself with the rules and etiquette will help make it a smooth event. The Canadian court system is based on hundreds of years of tradition. Everyday behaviour, which is acceptable in the outside world, is often times not...

Court Watch Program

Thunder Bay Women's is a joint intiative between Northwestern Ontario Women's Centre and Faye Peterson Transition House, launched in 2007. Court Watch programs are a form of community oversight where trained volunteers systematically monitor the treatment of criminal court cases related to woman abuse. Quantitative and qualitative data is used to assess the consistency and adequacy of sentencing,...