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Domestic and Intrafamily Violence

Domestic and intrafamily violence is unacceptable. Criminal accusations may be filed. During this period of the pandemic, many people may not have access to their usual support network. We all have a role to play faced with this abuse. We should report it.

If you are a victim or witness of domestic violence, call 911 in an emergency.

If the situation is not urgent, call 811 to find the right resources to provide help, both for you and for someone else in need.

If you resort to violence in your relationships, don’t hesitate to ask for help. You can be part of the solution!

As a victim or witness, if you are aware that an attacker is subject to conditions laid down by the Court and does not comply with them, call 911 immediately.

If the individual does not comply with the conditions of this recognizance and the police is informed, he will be arrested.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, you should speak up as soon as possible to break the cycle of abuse.

It has been shown that domestic violence invariably follows the same pattern: tension-building, outburst of abuse followed by calm. These episodes end up occurring at increasingly shorter intervals and the abuse gets worse and worse.

There are resources available to you!

For victims and children

S.O.S. violence conjugale
Listening, guidance and referral, in French and English
Multilingual site
1-800 363-9010, 24/7
Text: 438-601-1211, from 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Shield of Athena
Support for women from ethnocultural communities who are victims of family violence and their children, and translation and interpretation services
514-274-8117 or 1-877 274-8117 (Montréal)

Fédération des maisons d’hébergement pour femmes
514-878-9757

Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale
514-878-9134

For men

OP+ION
An alternative to domestic and family violence
514-527-1657

PRO-GAM
A professional and confidential therapy program for men who have resorted to violence in their domestic or family relationships
514-270-8462

SAC
Help for men having problems in their couple relationship
514-384-6296

WHAT IS IT?

Every year domestic and intrafamily violence in Montréal:

16,000 service calls to the 9-1-1 Emergency Centre
25% are crimes against persons
17% are homicides

Domestic violence means using force, intimidation or fear to control and dominate someone and compel them to do things against their will. Domestic violence can take different forms:

Psychological violence 
Intimidation
Humiliation
Terrorization
Enforced isolation
Control

Verbal violence 
Insults
Hurtful words

Physical violence 
Pushing
Slapping
Hitting

Sexual violence 
Unwelcome sexual relations

Economic violence 
Financial control
Refusal to give money

The consequences of these types of violence are extensive:

For the victim: being injured, worried, depressed, sick. Always being afraid, loss of self-esteem and self-confidence, inability to concentrate. 

For the children: being aggressive, depressed and having problems at school.

For the family: relationships between family members are not harmonious and everyone feels isolated.

It has been proven that domestic violence invariably follows the same cycle: increased tension, explosion of violence, followed by a period of calm. The episodes become increasingly frequent and increasingly violent. The cycle of violence must be broken as early as possible.

Criminal charges may be laid in cases of domestic or family violence. 

The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal will help anyone who has been subjected to violence. Their primary duty is to rescue the victim and ensure the safety of the family.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, break the silence!  Don't blame yourself.

WHAT TO DO?

FOR EMERGENCIES, CALL 911

Here are a few steps you can take:

  • Tell at least one person about your situation
  • Explain to your children that you all might have to leave to avoid an attack
  • Plan in advance where you will go
  • Prepare an emergency kit that includes:
    • Money (to take a taxi)
    • Bank book
    • Health care cards
    • Social insurance cards
    • A few items of clothing
    • Any medication you take regularly
    • Birth certificates
    • Passports and immigration certificates
    • Copies of house and car keys
    • Receipts for goods you have bought
    • Personal phone book
    • Favourite toys of small children
    • Marriage certificate
    • School documents and report cards
    • Lease, financial documents

Other Available resources

FOR EMERGENCIES, CALL 911

  • SOS violence conjugale

1 800 363-9010

http://www.sosviolenceconjugale.ca/  

  • Your neighbourhood CLSC

Info-santé: 8-1-1

http://www.santemontreal.qc.ca/en

  • CAVAC (crime victim assistance centre)

http://www.cavac.qc.ca

Central Montréal (Métro Beaubien)
Phone: 514-277-9860

Eastern Montréal (Métro Cadillac)
Phone: 514-645-9333

Western Montréal (Métro Du Collège)
Phone: 514-744-5048

Para servicios en español
Teléfono: 514-277-9860, supletorio 235

Service points

The Montréal CAVAC also has two service points in the regional courthouses:

Go ahead and break the silence! There are caring people here to help you.