By: Anne-Marie Langan*
Many legal issues can arise for people who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) or sexual violence (SV) and it can be difficult to know where to go for help with these issues. For example, victims of IPV who have children often worry about getting legal custody of their children if they leave the violent situation or about how they can get child or spousal support from their violent ex-partner without having to contact them. Victims of sexual violence often wonder whether it is worth reporting the assault to the police and how they can get information about the court proceedings against the perpetrator and their terms of release. The good news is that several organizations in Ontario will provide people who have experienced IPV or SV with free legal information and advice.
Legal Aid Ontario offers several services for low-income Ontarians who have experienced IPV and seek legal advice regarding family law matters.
Legal Aid Certificates:
Legal Aid Ontario offers certificates that you can bring to a family lawyer for advice and representation in court for those who are financially qualified[1] and dealing with issues such as custody, access and child support. You can also get a certificate if the Children's Aid is threatening to apprehend your children. Legal Aid has a list of lawyers who accept these certificates on their website: https://www.legalaid.on.ca/lawyers/
2 Hour Family Violence Certificates:
There are also family violence certificates available through certain agencies, such as a shelter or specific community legal clinics, for those who have experienced IPV. The certificates allow you up to 2 hours of free legal advice from a family lawyer in your community who has agreed to accept them.
Legal Aid Ontario Contact Center: The contact center has lawyers who can provide legal information and advice to those who have experienced violence over the phone. The number to call is: Â 1-800-668-8258
Family Law Information Centers
Free legal information, referrals and mediation are available at Family Law Information Centers across the province. They can explain what forms you need to complete and with guides to help you complete them. There are also duty counsel available who can advise on the date you are attending court.
Nine Legal Clinics have joined together to provide holistic legal services and support for people who have experienced gender-based violence through a project called Your Way Forward, funded by Justice Canada. Most clinics can provide some advice about family law issues related to IPV and SV and can provide the two-hour certificates mentioned above, as well as referrals to community services that help IPV and SA survivors. Some clinics also have social workers who can assist with non-legal issues related to family violence.
Those who have experienced sexual violence in Ontario are able to obtain a certificate from the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario for up to 4 hours of legal advice regarding their legal rights and the criminal court process from a criminal lawyer. You obtain the voucher by filling out an application form at: https://ontariocourtforms.on.ca/static/media/uploads/courtforms/vvpd/vvpd-010e_ila_application_final.pdf
You will be sent a list of lawyers who have registered to accept these certificates once your application is accepted.
Luke's Place can provide those experiencing IPV with legal advice, safety planning, referrals, and, on occasion, accompaniment to court. They can be contacted at 1-866-516-3116 or by email at intake@lukesplace.ca.
Pro Bono Students Canada offers a Family Justice program where students from law schools across Canada offer free legal information and services to low-income people dealing with family law matters. Several schools in Ontario including University of Ottawa, Queen's University, Lakehead University, Osgoode Law School, University of Toronto law school, Western Law School and University of Windsor Law School have students who can assist. You should contact the school nearest to you, which you can find here: https://www.probonostudents.ca/chapters.
Some family lawyers in Ontario, recognizing a great need for family law advice amongst those who can least afford it, have offered to provide advice and services through the Limited Scope Retainer Project. You can find a list of the lawyers accepting limited scope retainers at: https://familylawlss.ca/lawyer-directory/.
The Ontario Legal Information Center offers 30 minutes of legal advice and referrals for family law litigants, whether or not they have experienced IPV. To contact them go to: https://centreinfojuridique.ca/en/book-an-appointment/ or call them at
AJEFO provides information about how to access legal advice in French. To contact them for a referral to a Francophone lawyer you should call them at  1-844-343-7462 or at https://www.ajefo.ca
*Anne-Marie Langan BA, BSW, LL.B., LL.M. is the project lead for the sexual violence projects at Peterborough Community Legal Center , including the SHAPE project, which provides legal advice and education for those experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace and the Your Way Forward project which provides support for those who have experienced intimate partner sexual violence. These projects are sponsored by the government of Canada's Justice Department and Legal Aid Ontario. She can be reached directly at anne-marie.langan@ptbo-nogo.clcj.ca .
Disclaimer: This post contains general legal information as of November 18, 2024, that may or may not apply in a particular situation. It is important to note that the law, government policies and available programs can change, and this blog will not be updated to reflect these changes. It is highly recommended to seek legal advice from a lawyer about your particular situation.
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[1]Â Check the table below to see if you qualify:
Number of family members | The amount of money your family makes in a year |
1 | $22,720 |
2 | $32,131 |
3 | $39,352 |
4 | $45,440 |
5 | $50,803 |
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