Abuse and family violence – Other help
Legal advice
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO)
Legal Aid Ontario provides legal help for family law problems if you are eligible for their services.
Queen’s Elder Law Clinic
If you live in Napanee or Kingston, Ontario, you can get free legal services from the Queen’s Elder Law Clinic. They offer free legal advice regarding elder abuse and neglect.
Advocacy Centre for the Elderly
The Advocacy Centre for the Elderly gives free legal advice to seniors living on a low income on a variety of issues, including elder abuse.
I Decide Law Program
The I Decide Law Program provides free legal services to people with an intellectual disability and/or acquired brain injury who are living on a low income anywhere in Ontario. They can help with preventing and reporting abuse and exploitation (including financial abuse and human trafficking) See their website for details.
Private bar lawyers
- Law Society Referral Service offers a free 30 minute consultation with a lawyer.
- JusticeNet is a not-for-profit service offering legal services for reduced fees if your income is too high for legal aid and too low to afford standard legal fees.
Support for people experiencing abuse
Finding Gender Based Violence Services in Ontario
Mulberry provides contact information for a variety of services, including emergency women’s shelters, sexual assault centers, community GBV services and more.
Domestic Violence
See our Domestic violence emergencies page or our Family Law Resource Guides for a list of local shelters and other help for people experiencing domestic violence or elder abuse.
See our Counselling Referral Resources list for links to counselling services in Hastings, Prince Edward or Lennox & Addington Counties and Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory or visit the Ontario Counselling Finder website.
Quinte Coordinating Committee Against Violence (QCCAV) is an amalgamation of the Coordinating Committee Against Sexual Violence and the Coordinating Committee Against Domestic Violence. The QCCAV works to promote individual and community awareness of issues relating to sexual and domestic violence. They also work to coordinate a community-wide response aimed at eradicating violence through education and advocacy for effective intervention and therapeutic services in the Quinte area. Their website has information and resources for those experiencing abuse.
Family Domestic Violence is a website providing education surrounding the impact of domestic abuse and strategies to take care of your wellbeing during a difficult custody battle. You will also find a list of trauma-informed crisis services as well as legal supports and counselling depending on your province.
Elder abuse
CLEO’s Guided Pathway For Responding to Elder Abuse
CLEO’s “guided pathway” helps you understand, prevent, and respond to elder abuse. It also helps you develop a safety plan and a personalized checklist of important information and next steps.
Elder Abuse Prevention (Ontario)
Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario (1-833-916-6728) provides information, referrals and support in over 150 languages for seniors experiencing abuse.
Seniors Safety Line
The Seniors Safety Line is a 24 hour crisis and support line for seniors in Ontario who have experienced any type of abuse or neglect. Callers receive emotional support, safety planning, information and referrals in over 200 languages. This is a “senior friendly” service with a live counsellor available to help navigate often difficult systems, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Call 1-866-299-1011, TTY 1-866-299-0008.
Ministry of Seniors Affairs
See their page on elder abuse to find out what to do if you or a senior you know is being abused.
Abuse in nursing homes or retirement homes
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
To report an urgent complaint or abuse in nursing homes, call the Long-term Home Care ACTION Line, 1-866-434-0144 (open 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m, 7 days a week).
For less urgent complaints, read the long-term care home complaint process on how to make a complaint.
Registrar of the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority
To report abuse in a retirement home, call 1-855-275-7472 or read their Making a Complaint page for less urgent complaints.
Compensation for victims of violent crime
Individuals seeking compensation for costs that result from being a victim of crime should contact the Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+).
In Hastings, Prince Edward or Lennox & Addington Counties, or Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, contact Victim Services of Hastings, Prince Edward and Lennox & Addington Counties at https://www.victimserviceshpela.com/ (or call 1-866-680-9972) or Indigenous Victim Services at http://mbq-tmt.org/social-services/indigenous-victim-services/ (or call 613-438-3517). Emergency/after hours call/text 613-813-9667.
Family law
Visit our Family law problems page for more information and help regarding family law.