a guide to supporting children exposed to domestic violence

PEACE BOND
If the abuser has not been charged, you can apply for a peace bond at a
Provincial Court.
A victim support worker or transition house worker can help you with this. You
will have to make a written statement about the abuse you have suffered and
why you are afraid of your abuser.
RESTRAINING ORDER
This has similar provisions to a peace bond or no contact order.
• If you are separating or divorcing your husband, you can ask for a restraining
order during the proceedings.
• If you are already divorced or separated, you can ask your lawyer, family justice
counsellor, police, counsellor or support person to help you get a restraining
order.
For more information
For Your Protection: Peace Bonds and Restraining Orders is a brochure by Victim
Services and Community Programs Division, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor
General. To obtain a free print copy, call Victim Link: 1-800-563-0808.
This brochure is online at:
http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/victim_services/publications/index.htm
Keep police informed
If you are living with an abusive partner, or believe that you are in danger from an
ex-partner, make sure the local police know about your situation.
If you have an order, ask local police to check that it is registered with the
Protection Order Registry. The Protection Order Registry is a confidential database
containing all protection orders issued in British Columbia. The police have 24-
hour access to the Protection Order Registry.
If your partner is not present during
the court proceedings
If your partner is not at the court proceedings, the court system will serve him
with the order. If they can’t find him, they may deliver the order to a relative, or
pin it to his door. Occasionally, when the abuser has moved, has no relatives and
HELPING MY CHILD A GUIDE TO SUPPORTING CHILDREN EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 53