Domestic Violence services during COVID-19

Last updated: April 23, 2020

During the COVID-19 crisis, LAO has waived all legal and financial eligibility for domestic violence survivors. This accommodation will remain in effect until further notice.

Domestic violence is never ok. Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) understands that staying home is not always safe and that during the COVID‑19 crisis, it is important to help survivors protect their personal safety and continue providing critical family law services.

There are laws in Ontario that protect you from domestic abuse. Find out more.

LAO’s Contact Centre—Confidential Telephone Services

If you have experienced domestic violence and need help with a family law matter, please call LAO’s Contact Centre immediately:

LAO can help with family law matters such as a restraining order for an abusive ex‑partner, or maintaining access to your child during the COVID‑19 emergency.

This confidential telephone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST). When you reach our Contact Centre, you may ask to speak with a LAO family lawyer for free summary legal advice and/or apply for a legal aid certificate. This service can be accessed in over 300 languages.

Two hours of free legal service

This program provides two hours of free legal advice for domestic violence survivors in Ontario who need immediate advice and assistance in relation to family law and immigration and refugee law matters. There is no financial eligibility requirement.

Please call your local shelter or community legal clinic to ask about accessing this service. They will then give you a referral voucher so that you can get two hours of free legal advice from a lawyer. Only lawyers with experience in domestic abuse issues can provide this service

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