Family and Intimate Partner Violence

Any use of physical or sexual force, whether it is actual or threatened, or includes a single act or a number of acts violence, is categorized as Intimate Partner Violence.

You may be in an abusive relationship if you answer yes to any of these statements:

Do You Feel?

• You are being treated as a child, servant or possession.
• Powerless and embarrassed.
• Afraid of your partner.
• That you deserve to be hurt or mistreated.
• Isolated.

Does Your Partner?

• Treat you like a possession or sex object.
• Make decisions for you and the family, telling you what to do and expects you to obey.
• Use insults, name-calling and public put-downs.
• Stop you from seeing friends and family, keeps you from going out, and constantly checks up on you.
• Threaten to hurt/kill you or the children.
• Threaten to commit suicide or file charges against you.
• Break things in front of you, hurt pets or put weapons on display to scare you.
• Blame you for their behaviour, or blame their childhood; they may deny it has occurred or say they were having a bad day as an excuse.

Whether you are being abused or someone you know is, it is important to know that help is always available. When you call 9-1-1, police will intervene and conduct a thorough investigation.

Below is some helpful information and steps that police will take when they are involved in a FIPV situation:

• Upon arrival, police will gather evidence and obtain statements. If reasonable grounds exist that determine an offence has occurred, they will lay charges.
• If you have injuries, officers will help you seek medical attention and take photos of the scene, injuries or any property damages.
• Officers will provide you with information on community services, safety planning for you and your children. If you require interpretation, they will assist if needed.

Safe places to seek help

• Catholic Family Services of Peel-Dufferin – helps families experiencing difficulties in their relationships and provides individual, couple and family therapy. Call 905-450-1608 to access services.
• Catholic Crosscultural Services – provides settlement and counselling services for individuals in need of assistance. Counselling services include crisis support, safety planning, and long-term therapeutic counselling to assist women who have experienced abuse.
• Indus Community Services – provides culturally appropriate services to newcomers, families, women and seniors through crisis intervention and supportive counseling. To access services, call 905-275-2369.
• Oasis Centre des Femmes – provides services for Francophone women in the GTA and Halton-Peel affected by violence to help them become independent, including finding housing.  To make an appointment, contact 905-454-3332.
• Peel Children's Aid Society - provides assessment, teaching and support programs to help create safe and loving homes for children. For more information, call 905-363-6131.
• Trillium Health Centre (Chantel's Place) – provides a range of medical, forensic and/or counselling services are offered by admission through the Mississauga Hospital site Emergency Department. Call 905-848-7580 ext. 2548.
• Victim Services of Peel – helps with crisis counselling, accessing transitional support, shelter information and/or developing a safety plan. Call 905-568-1068. 
• Roots Community Services - With a focus on Black, African and Caribbean Canadians, Roots Community program services are offered from a culturally- appropriate perspective and within an anti-oppression, anti-racism framework that are geared toward children aged 6 years to seniors. For more information, contact 905-455-6789.

Other support services

• Assaulted Women's Help Line – is a team of trained counsellors providing crisis counselling, safety planning, emotional support, information and referrals accessible 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  Call toll-free, 24-hour telephone crisis counselling line 1-866-863-0511 or 416-863-0511.
• Armagh House – Provides 2-to-4-year transitional housing programs with wraparound supports for families. Call 905-855-0299.
• Embrave
• Family Life Resource Centre (Salvation Army Shelter) – Offers short-term emergency shelters.
• Multilingual Community Interpreter Services
• Victim/Witness Assistance Program
• Family Violence Laws
• Women and Children Precious Shelter

Start a conversation to stop abuse against women. Community, police, and municipal partners are joining the Region of Peel to Break The Silence and raise awareness about violence against women. Additional information, supports, and resources are available on the Break The Silence campaign website.

Are you in an abusive relationship? (flyer)

Do you have a safety plan? (flyer)