1. Get help right away if you are in danger

If you're in danger, you may know someone who you can call to get help right away.

Or you may want to contact the police by calling 911.

911 for police, ambulance, fire

If you call 911, a police car is sent to your home. When the police arrive, let them in. Even if you do not want them to come in or your partner tries to stop them, the police can enter your home if:

• they have reasonable grounds to believe that a crime is happening, or is about to happen, or
• you or someone else called 911 and the police need to enter your home to properly investigate the call.

The police also have a duty to contact a Children’s Aid Society (CAS) if they think any children have been harmed or are at risk of being harmed.

The CAS is the government agency that is responsible for protecting children from harm and abuse.

Shelters

Shelters can provide you with a safe place to stay. Counsellors at the shelters can also provide emotional support and work with you to make a safety plan.

Most shelters have staff available 24 hours a day to answer your call. Shelter staff are trained to find resources and support for people who have experienced abuse. They can help you with issues like:

• housing
• child care
• Ontario Works, sometimes called welfare
• make a safety plan

You can find your local shelter by visiting sheltersafe.ca or 211ontario.ca or by calling 2-1-1 from anywhere in Ontario.