The following National Spousal Abuse FAQs are provided by the Legal Studies Program.

Funded by the Department of Justice Canada.

Warning: 

The contents of these FAQs are intended as general legal information only. If you have
a personal problem, please consult a lawyer.



What should I do if the police don't lay charges?

It is your right to lay charges against an abusive spouse yourself if the police do not do so. You 
can also do this after an assault if the police were not called. A lawyer can discuss with you the 
issues involved in laying criminal charges against an abusive spouse to help you make this 
decision.

You may wish to consider steps you can take to protect yourself. It is possible to apply for a 
restraining order or peace bond.  A restraining order or peace bond is a court order that can 
require your partner to stay away from you and your children. Orders under family violence 
legislation can be very specific as to what your partner is forbidden to do.

Any kind of protective order is only truly protective as long as the terms are obeyed by your 
partner. You should still take practical measures to guard your own safety.