Domestic Violence Protection Lawyers in Ontario
Comprehensive protection strategies for survivors seeking safety and legal recourse
Deepa Tailor, Senior Family Lawyer
Deepa Tailor is the founder and Managing Director of Tailor Law, a trusted Ontario family and divorce law firm. Since 2014, she has helped clients navigate separation, custody, support, and property division with clarity and compassion. Deepa holds a B.Sc. (University of Toronto) and J.D. (University of Ottawa), and regularly shares legal insights to educate and empower individuals going through complex family law matters.
The 30-Second Answer
Domestic violence protection in Ontario involves a multi-layered legal strategy combining criminal charges, family court orders such as restraining orders, and civil remedies. Our lawyers coordinate with police, shelters, and support services to ensure your immediate safety while pursuing long-term legal solutions including restraining orders, exclusive home possession, supervised access, and financial support. Police protection is available 24/7 (call 911 in an emergency), and you don’t need to wait for physical violence to seek help.
Comprehensive Protection Strategy
Immediate Safety Measures
Urgent court orders and crisis intervention
- Urgent restraining orders (motion without notice where needed)
- Exclusive possession of family home
- Police assistance and safety planning
- Shelter coordination and relocation support
Criminal Law Protection
Pursuing criminal charges and peace bonds
- Assault charges
- Criminal harassment prosecution
- Peace bonds with strict conditions
- Victim impact statements
Family Law Orders
Protecting children and establishing boundaries
- Supervised access arrangements
- Custody modifications for safety
- No-contact provisions
- Communication restrictions
Financial Protection
Ensuring economic security during separation
- Interim spousal support orders
- Child support enforcement
- Orders restraining depletion of property
- Property preservation orders
Long-Term Legal Strategy
Permanent protection and final resolution
- Permanent restraining orders
- Final custody and access orders
- Separation agreements with safety provisions
- Divorce with protective clauses
Support Services Coordination
Connecting you with essential resources
- Counseling and therapy referrals
- Victim services programs
- Financial assistance applications
- Housing and employment support
Types of Domestic Violence Recognized by Ontario Courts
You don’t need visible injuries to seek protection. All forms of abuse are taken seriously by the legal system.
Physical Abuse
- Hitting, slapping, punching, kicking
- Choking or strangulation
- Use of weapons or objects
- Physical restraint or confinement
- Denying medical care
Emotional/Psychological Abuse
- Constant criticism and humiliation
- Threats and intimidation
- Isolation from friends and family
- Gaslighting and manipulation
- Controlling behavior
Financial Abuse
- Controlling all money and accounts
- Preventing employment or education
- Stealing or hiding assets
- Running up debt in your name
- Refusing to pay support
Sexual Abuse
- Forced sexual activity
- Sexual coercion or manipulation
- Reproductive coercion
- Sharing intimate images without consent
- Sexual assault
Stalking & Harassment
- Following or surveillance
- Unwanted contact or communication
- Monitoring phone or computer
- Showing up uninvited
- Threats through third parties
Abuse of Children
- Using children to control you
- Threatening to take children
- Exposing children to violence
- Undermining your parenting
- Abusing children directly
Safety Planning Checklist
If You’re Still Living Together
- Identify safe areas of the home with exits
- Keep phone charged and accessible
- Have emergency numbers programmed
- Pack emergency bag and hide it
- Open separate bank account
- Document all incidents with dates/times
- Take photos of injuries
- Tell trusted friend or family member
When Planning to Leave
- Contact domestic violence shelter
- Consult with lawyer confidentially
- Gather important documents (ID, birth certificates, financial records)
- Save money in safe location
- Change passwords on accounts
- Plan safe time and route to leave
- Arrange safe place to stay
- Consider safety of children and pets
After You’ve Left
- Obtain restraining order immediately
- Change locks if you have exclusive possession
- Notify children’s school and daycare
- Alert employer about situation
- Vary your routine and routes
- Screen calls and save threatening messages
- Keep copy of restraining order with you
- Call 911 if order is violated
Frequently Asked Questions
Leaving an abusive relationship to protect yourself or your children is not, by itself, a reason to lose parenting time or decision-making responsibility. The court decides parenting arrangements based on the children’s best interests, and it must consider family violence. If you can safely take the children with you, get legal advice quickly so that a parenting order can be sought promptly.
Legal Aid Ontario offers two hours of free legal advice for survivors of domestic violence, with no financial eligibility test, through referral vouchers from shelters and community legal clinics. You may also qualify for a legal aid certificate, and duty counsel and Family Law Information Centres are available at family courthouses. Tailor Law is a private firm that does not accept Legal Aid, but we offer flexible payment arrangements.
In most cases, yes. In a criminal case the Crown can require a spouse or partner to testify, and a witness who has been subpoenaed must attend court. The Victim/Witness Assistance Program can support you through the process, and testimonial aids may be available. Speak with a lawyer about how a criminal case may affect your family law matter.
If anyone is at immediate risk, call 911. You are not responsible for another adult’s choices, and threats of self-harm used to control your decisions can be a form of coercive and controlling behaviour, which the Divorce Act recognizes as family violence. A domestic violence counsellor or shelter can help you plan to leave safely.
Family violence under the Divorce Act and the Children’s Law Reform Act includes psychological abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour, not only physical harm. Useful evidence can include texts, emails and voicemails, a dated journal of incidents, witnesses, and records from counsellors, doctors or police. A lawyer can help you organize this evidence and present it to the court.
Often, yes. A Family Law Act restraining order is available against a spouse, former spouse or someone you have lived with, and a Children’s Law Reform Act restraining order may be available in a case involving your children. If neither applies, the police or a justice of the peace can help with a peace bond under the Criminal Code, and criminal charges are possible where an offence has occurred.
You Deserve Safety and Peace
Take the first step toward protection. Our team is here to help you navigate the legal system with compassion and expertise.
About the Author
Deepa Tailor, Senior Family Lawyer
Deepa Tailor is the founder and Managing Director of Tailor Law, a trusted Ontario family and divorce law firm. Since 2014, she has helped clients navigate separation, custody, support, and property division with clarity and compassion. Deepa holds a B.Sc. (University of Toronto) and J.D. (University of Ottawa), and regularly shares legal insights to educate and empower individuals going through complex family law matters.