Domestic Violence & Police Response in Quebec
What survivors may expect from police during a Quebec domestic violence response.
What to Expect When Police Get Involved in Relationship Abuse
When Police First Arrive
If police are called about abuse or threats in a relationship, their first focus is usually safety. Exact steps can vary by province or territory, but many officers will:
- Check who is present and whether anyone is injured
- Separate people to hear each person’s story
- Look for signs of harm or damage (for example, broken items, injuries)
- Ask about children, pets, or anyone else in the home
- Decide if someone needs medical care or emergency shelter
Police also consider whether a crime may have happened under Canadian law, such as assault, threats, harassment, or mischief (property damage).
In most parts of Canada, if police believe a crime related to relationship abuse has likely happened, they may be required by policy to lay charges, even if the survivor does not wish to press charges.
What Police Might Ask You
Police may ask:
- What happened just before they arrived
- Whether there have been past incidents
- If there are weapons in the home
- Whether you feel safe if the other person stays or returns
- If there are any existing court orders (for example, peace bonds, protection orders, release conditions)
You can share as much or as little as feels safe in the moment. If English or French is not your first language, you can ask if interpretation is available.
Arrest vs. Release: What Can Happen
After speaking to everyone and reviewing what they see, police may:
- Decide not to lay charges and leave the situation as it is
- Lay charges but release the person at the scene with conditions
- Arrest and take the person into custody for a short period
Practices differ by province and territory, and by the specific situation. No outcome is guaranteed, even if you call police or make a statement.
When Police Decide to Arrest
If police believe there are grounds to charge the person who caused harm, they may arrest that person. This can lead to:
- The person being held at the station for a short time
- A bail or judicial interim release hearing, usually within a short period
- A decision by a judge or justice about whether the person is released or kept in custody
If the person is kept in custody, they may stay in jail until their next court date or until they are granted bail with conditions.
When the Person Is Released
In many cases, the person charged is released with rules they must follow, called “conditions.” These can be decided by police, a prosecutor, or a judge, depending on the situation and local practice.
Common conditions can include:
- No contact with you (and sometimes with children or other family members)
- Not coming to your home, work, school, or other specific places
- Not possessing weapons
- Not using alcohol or drugs in certain circumstances
- Reporting to a police station on a schedule
Conditions are rules for the accused person. They are not instructions to you. However, if you feel pressured to allow contact despite a no-contact condition, that can be a safety concern.
Understanding No-Contact Orders in Plain Language
No-contact orders are rules from the court that say the person accused or convicted of a crime is not allowed to contact you. The name of the order can differ, such as:
- Release conditions after an arrest
- Undertaking or recognizance
- Bail conditions
- Probation conditions after a sentence
- Peace bond (in some situations)
What “No Contact” Usually Means
In plain language, a no-contact order usually means the other person must not:
- Call, text, email, or message you on any app
- Contact you through social media (including viewing or commenting, if specified)
- Send messages through friends or family (“third parties”), unless the order makes an exception
- Approach you in person at home, work, school, or other listed places
Some orders say “no direct or indirect contact,” which means they are not allowed to use others to get messages to you, unless there is a clear exception written into the order (for example, through a lawyer or for child-related communication in a specific way).
If you are unsure what a specific order allows or prohibits, you can ask the officer, duty counsel, or court staff to read the conditions with you in simple terms. They cannot give you personal legal advice but can often help explain the wording.
Exceptions and Special Situations
Sometimes, orders include limited exceptions. For example:
- Contact allowed only by text or email about child visits, using calm language
- Contact only through a third party or an app for parenting communication
- Contact only as directed by a family court order
The exact wording matters. It is possible for a person to have a criminal no-contact order and a family court order at the same time. This can be confusing.
When different orders seem to conflict, courts usually expect the person with conditions to follow the strictest rule. Local legal clinics may explain how different orders interact in your area.
What Happens If Conditions or Orders Are Broken
If the person contacts you or approaches you when a no-contact order is in place, it may be a new criminal offence, often called “failing to comply” or “breach of conditions.” Possible steps include:
- You or someone else can report the breach to police, if it feels safe
- Police may investigate and decide whether to lay additional charges
- The person may be arrested again and face new conditions or be held for another bail hearing
You are not responsible for enforcing the order. It is directed at the person who has been charged or ordered by the court.
Some people feel unsafe calling police about a breach, especially if there have been negative experiences in the past. It can help to talk through your options with a trusted service or advocate before deciding what feels safest for you.
How Police Reports Connect to Future Court Steps
When police respond and create a report, this information can be used at different stages of the criminal justice process. In general:
- Police notes and statements may be sent to a prosecutor (also called Crown counsel or Crown attorney)
- The prosecutor decides what charges to approve or continue with, based on local rules and available evidence
- Police reports can be used as part of the evidence in court
Common Next Steps After Charges
If charges are laid, typical steps can include:
- First appearance date: the accused person (or their lawyer) appears in court
- Future appearances: the case may return to court several times while lawyers review evidence and discuss possible resolutions
- Possible outcomes: the case may be withdrawn, resolved by a plea, diverted, or go to trial
As a survivor or witness, you may be:
- Asked later to provide more details to police or a prosecutor
- Contacted by a victim services worker, where available
- Given information about upcoming court dates and possible safety supports
Participation in the court process can look different for each person. In some places, there are programs that provide updates and explain options, but availability varies by province and territory.
Thinking About Safety While the Case Is Ongoing
Court processes can take time. During this period, you might still encounter the other person in the community, especially if they are released on conditions. You can consider:
- Planning safer ways to move between home, work, and other regular places
- Letting trusted neighbours, coworkers, or school staff know there are safety concerns (without sharing details you do not want to share)
- Reviewing digital privacy settings and being cautious about location sharing
- Keeping copies or photos of any orders or conditions somewhere easy to reach
Additional support options across Canada can be found through resources listed at DV.Support, which includes a range of non-emergency services.
If you feel that police or court steps are affecting your immigration, housing, or income situation, a community legal clinic or settlement organization in your province or territory may help explain local processes.