Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), also known as domestic violence, refers to physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse, as well as threatening or harassing behavior, between current or former intimate partners.

IPV can vary in severity, and is often part of a larger pattern of controlling or abusive behaviors. This may include financial control, social isolation, and threats against family members, pets, or property. The goal of this violence is to intimidate, humiliate, or instill fear, leaving victims feeling powerless.

When you contact the police to report intimate partner violence, the responding officer will conduct a thorough investigation and a report will be submitted:

If the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that an offence has occurred, the accused will be arrested and charges may be laid. If the suspect is not present, attempts will be made to locate them and place them under arrest. In the event, the accused cannot be located, a warrant for their arrest will be obtained. When the accused has been arrested, you will be notified.

Police may become involved the one of the following ways:

• if you or someone else calls 911 to report an incident
• if you report an incident to police by telephone or in person, or
• if a witness contacts the police to report the incident

Police will lay charges in all incidents of intimate partner violence where reasonable grounds exist to do so. Reasonable grounds can be established through witness statements, the existence of physical injuries, and/or other physical evidence such as damaged or broken property or other signs of a disturbance.

When police lay changes in a case on Intimate Partner Violence, we work with you to establish a safety plan and will provide referral to Victim Services of Brant and will connect you with appropriate support services. 

Following an arrest, the accused may face a number of different possibilities:

• they may be released on a form called an Undertaking or Recognizance (the victim will be notified)
• they may be held by the police for bail
• the court may decide to hold the accused in custody until the trial

When a charge has been laid, the case will be prosecuted by a lawyer from the Crown Attorney's office at no cost to the victim. Once a charge has been laid, neither the police nor the victim can withdraw the charge.

If an accused is released on an undertaking, they must obey these conditions while awaiting trial:

• no contact with the victim.
• not to attend the residence of the victim even if the residence is the matrimonial home or shared residence

• Victim Services of Brant
• Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services
• Child and Family Services of Grand Erie
• Sexual Assault Centre of Brant