How can I protect myself and my children during my separation or divorce?

If you are in immediate danger
If you are afraid of your spouse and think you or your children are in immediate danger, call the police right away.
You have the right to feel safe and to expect help from the police. It is their job.
You can ask the police about getting a protection order for you and your children. If there is a Transition House in BC (Canadian Shelters see below) or safe home in your area, you can also ask the police to take you there, or to another safe place - such as a relative's or friend's house. The police can also refer you to a local Victim Services (Prince George Victim Services call 250-561-3329 - in emergency call RCMPolice at 250-561-3300 - or call 911) office where staff will work with you to develop a personal safety plan. BC VICTIM SERVICE UNITS


SHELTERS IN CANADA MAP

If you are not in immediate danger
If you are afraid for your safety or the safety of your children, but you are not in immediate danger, call the Victim Information Line toll-free at 1-800-563-0808. The Line is open 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Through the Victim Information Line, you will be referred to a Victim Services (Prince George Victim Services call 250-561-3329 - in emergency call RCMPolice at 250-561-3300 - or call 911) worker in your community, who can tell you about how to get a protection order while you are going through the process of separation or divorce, and refer you to other community resources as needed.
A Family Justice Counsellor can also tell you about protection orders, and you may want to see a lawyer for legal advice.
Please note:
If you have a speech or hearing impairment, you can contact the police or the Victim Information Line by calling the 24-hour 711 (TTY/Voice) telephone or 1-800-855-0511 regular telephone

What can the police do to help me?
In British Columbia, it is a criminal offence (a crime) for anyone - including your spouse - to assault you or your children, or to harass or stalk you, to threaten you with bodily harm or to damage your property.
If you feel afraid or threatened by your spouse, you need to go to the police right away. Once the police have talked to you, they will decide if there is enough evidence to prove that your spouse has committed a criminal offence.

    If there is enough evidence, the police will probably arrest your spouse or former
spouse and ask the Crown counsel (a lawyer employed by the government) to lay
a criminal charge against him. If the Crown approves the charge, your spouse will
have to go to court.

Duty counsel lawyers for criminal law matters

You may be able to get help fromduty counsel in Provincial Court if you:

• are charged with a crime, and
  

• can't get a legal aid lawyer, or
  

• haven't yet applied for legal aid

Duty counsel can provide you withadvice about:

• the charges against you,
  

• court procedures, and

• your legal rights (including the right to counsel and the right to apply for legal aid).

Duty counsel can also represent you at a bail hearing. If there's time, duty counsel can help with a guilty plea.

Who is eligible for duty counsel services?

You don't have to be financially eligible to get criminal duty counsel services. However, you must meet LSS coverage and financial eligibility requirements to receive ongoing representation.

Where to find duty counsel

Duty counsel is available at courthouses throughout the province. For duty counsel hours in your area:

• Contact your local court registry. (Click the location nearest you to find the court's address, phone number, and hours.)

• Look in the blue pages of your phone book under "Government of British Columbia — Court Services."

Are you Aboriginal? First Nations Court

If youself-identify as Aboriginal, you may be able to have your bail or sentencing hearing in First Nations Court. Courts are located in:

Legal Aid Around the World
Click above link for other countries.
Canada

·         Alberta Youth Law

·         Calgary Legal Guidance

·         Edmonton Community Legal Centre

·         Legal Aid Alberta

·         British Columbia Public Interest Advocacy Centre

·         Community Legal Assistance Society B.C.

·         The Law Centre Victoria, British Columbia

·         Legal Services Society B.C.

·         Community Legal Education Association Manitoba

·         Legal Aid, Manitoba

·         Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia

·         Advocacy Centre for the Elderly Toronto

·         Advocacy Resource Centre for the Handicapped (ARCH) Ontario

·         Community Legal Education Ontario

·         Justice for Children and Youth Toronto

·         Keewaytinok Native Legal Services

·         Legal Aid Ontario

·         Aide Juridique Ontario

·         Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services

·         Ontario Tenants Rights

·         Parkdale Community Legal Services Toronto

·         Queen's Law Students Legal Aid Society Kingston, Ontario

·         Commission des services juridiques Québec

·         Commission des services juridiques - Aide juridique Québec - English

·         Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan (PLEA)

·         Legal Aid Saskatchewan

·         Yukon Legal Services Society

Welcome to JusticeBC
This website provides general information about family law in British Columbia. It has information for people considering changes in their family relationships such as separation and divorce, and may be of interest to people thinking of marrying or living with someone in a marriage-like relationship.

Family Justice in B.C.
British Columbia is working hard to ensure the right information and services are available for people looking for solutions to their family law problems. The quick links below may answer some of your questions. If you do not find what you are looking for below, we encourage you to explore this website further to learn more about family justice in B.C.

• What is separation and divorce?
• What do I need to know to make decisions about care of and time with children?
• What happens with property, pensions and debt after separation?
• Must I go to court? What options are available to help me?
• What services are available to help me?
• How can I keep my family safe?

Peace bond and a restraining orders
What's the difference between peace bonds and family law protection orders?

Protection Orders and the Protection Order Registry


Get Help Now
Peace Bond or Restraining Order
An Online Resource for Victims & Witnesses of Crime in BC

Abuse & family violence
Abuse in relationships includes behaviour ranging from threats to physical or sexual assault, and may also include harmful financial, emotional, and verbal actions. Abuse can be physical, emotional or verbal, psychological, sexual, and/or financial.
Legal System - The Basics
Such as: Abuse - Agreements - Court Forms - Court Orders - Divorce & Separation
Guardianship - Legislation/Court rules - Mediation - Offers to settle - Parentage  - Getting help

Legal Aid in Canada

Dial-A-Law

Canadian Bar Association

Law Society of BC

BC Aboriginal Friendship Centres

Canada's Court System

Supreme Court of Canada: http://www.scc-csc.ca/

Federal Court of Canada: www.fct-cf.gc.ca

Tax Court of Canada: www.tcc-cci.gc.ca

Court Martial Appeal Court: www.cmac-cacm.ca

Provincial Courts

British Columbia: www.courts.gov.bc.ca

Manitoba: www.manitobacourts.mb.ca

New Brunswick: www.gov.nb.ca

Northwest Territories: www.gov.nt.ca

Nova Scotia: www.gov.ns.ca

Nunavut: www.gov.nu.ca/gnmain.htm

Ontario: www.ontariocourts.on.ca

Prince Edward Island: www.gov.pe.ca/courts/

Quebec: http://www.tribunaux.qc.ca/mjq_en/c-quebec/index-cq.html

Saskatchewan: www.sasklawcourts.ca/

Yukon: http://www.justice.gov.yk.ca/prog/cs/courts.html

Other Justice Systems

U.S.

U.S. Federal Judiciary

 

World

World Court (International Court of Justice

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Statutes & Consolidated Regulations

BC Government, Canada

Criminal Code of Canada

Justice Laws Website

Services
Abuse of Older Adults

CRIMINAL INJURY

COMPENSATION

Now Called
Crime Victim Assistance Ac