Services for People Experiencing Violence & Abuse

Victims of abuse and crime have special protections to help address the matter, explore their legal remedies, and connect with available support. There are additional considerations and safeguards for victims of sexual violence. Click here for information.

It is important to understand that leaving an abusive relationship can be dangerous.

• As you are seeking to regain some control over your life, learn about ways to stay safe and get help.
• It is important to develop a safety plan and strategies to increase your safety.
• Without help, the abuse is not likely to stop. There are many alternatives to consider. Assistance is available. Do not put yourself at risk.
• Visit PLEA (Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan) for strategies and things to consider.

Safety planning is one way to reduce harm that may occur when leaving an abusive relationship.

Making a safety plan will help you to avoid dangerous situations and to know the best way to react when you are in danger. When your safety plan is complete, you should have:

• A list of important contacts
• A way to get in touch with emergency and support services
• Knowledge on how to avoid or reduce the risk of injury during a physical attack
• Information about home security, and how to be safe in and outside your home
• A safe place to go in an emergency, and a plan to get there (with your children)
• Quick access to cash, important documents and basic necessities.

Click the options below to access and complete a safety plan:

• Government of Saskatchewan Safety Plan Worksheet
• Government of Saskatchewan Domestic Violence Safety Planning Guide
• Getting Out Guide and Safety Planner

A limited number of pet safekeeping programs are available in Saskatchewan, including:

• The Regina Humane Society Safe Places Program accepts family pets when a victim of domestic violence is leaving, or has already left the home to enter a shelter environment.
• The Saskatoon SPCA Pet Safekeeping Program assists the victims of domestic violence with the short-term care of companion animals. Call 306-374-7387 for information.
• New Hope Dog Rescue’s Animal Safekeeping (ASK) Program provides free care for pets owned by the victims of interpersonal violence. The foster homes have received specialized training to meet the needs of pets coming from homes where there has been violence or abuse.
• Established by the Swift Current SPCA, the ASK (Animal Safekeeping) Program assists local victims of domestic violence and their pets. Service is available on a referral basis through Southwest Crisis Service. Call 306-778-3386 for information.
• In the Melfort area, the North East SPCA works with North East Outreach and Support Services to care for pets owned by the victims of domestic violence. Call 306-752-7722 for information.

Learn more about safety planning and animal safekeeping programs at violencelink.ca.

There are also legal interventions that can help to keep you safe if you choose to stay in your own home. Saskatchewan has a law (The Victims of Interpersonal Violence Act) that provides additional ways to help fight violence in personal relationships. This law applies to:

• people who live together or have lived together as a couple or a family
• people who live together or have lived together in an intimate relationship
• parents of a child regardless of whether they are married and/or have ever lived together
• people in an ongoing caregiving relationship whether they have lived together or not.

This law creates three ways to deal with interpersonal violence :

1. Emergency Intervention Orders
   • In an emergency, victims of interpersonal violence can apply to a special Justice of the Peace for help at any time of the day or night. Police officers, mobile crisis workers and victim services coordinators can help victims do this. In an emergency the Justice of the Peace can make an order without waiting for the case to go to court and without the accused being notified of the hearing or being present. The Justice of the Peace must be satisfied that there has been interpersonal violence and that the matter cannot wait for a court hearing.
   • An emergency intervention order can include an order that:
     • the victim have exclusive occupation of the home
     • a police officer remove the accused from the home
     • a police officer supervise while the accused or the victim takes personal belongings from the home
     • the accused not contact the victim and other family members
     • the accused not be near specified places where the victim or the family regularly go, such as their school or workplace
     • After a Justice of the Peace grants an emergency intervention order, the accused must be given a copy of the order. The order does not take effect against that person until they receive a copy of the order.

2. Victim’s Assistance Orders
   • A victim’s assistance order is similar to an emergency intervention order, but is designed to be used in non-emergency situations. This type of application is made by the victim to a judge at the Court of Queen’s Bench. When making a victim’s assistance order a judge can include any of the orders that may be made under an emergency intervention order.
   • A victim’s assistance order can also include an order:
     • that the accused pay the victim compensation for things like medical or dental expenses, moving expenses or legal fees
     • that either party have temporary possession of things like a car, children’s clothing, identification, keys or passwords
     • preventing the accused from selling or damaging any property that the victim has an interest in
     • recommending that the accused receive counselling
     • that the accused post a bond to ensure that they comply with the terms of any order.
3. Warrants Permitting Entry
   • A Justice of the Peace may grant a warrant to a police officer, or other designated person, to enter a place where there are reasonable grounds to believe a victim of interpersonal violence will be found. The warrant may be granted only after the potential abuser has refused access to helpers or to the police to check on a person who may be a victim of interpersonal violence. It gives the holder of the warrant the right to go into the home. They may assist or examine the possible victim and may remove the victim from the home, if necessary.

• Interpersonal Violence Leave is a job-protected leave of up to 10 days in a period of 52 weeks for survivors of interpersonal or sexual violence to access supports or relocate to a new home.
  • The 10 day leave can be taken as five employer paid days and five unpaid days.
  • The leave can be broken down into days or hours as required.
  • Only time spent away from work would be considered leave time.
• Eligibility: an employee who is a victim of interpersonal or sexual violence or an employee who is a parent of a child who is a victim or an employee who is a caregiver of a victim of interpersonal or sexual violence and the employee requires time off work to:
  • seek medical attention for a victim with respect to a physical or psychological injury or disability caused by interpersonal or sexual violence;
  • obtain services from a victim services organization;
  • obtain psychological or other professional counselling;
  • relocate temporarily or permanently; or
  • seek legal or law enforcement assistance, including preparing for or participating in any civil or criminal legal proceeding related to or resulting from the interpersonal or sexual violence.
• Employees must have worked for an employer for a minimum of 13 weeks and will be required to provide evidence of the services being received if the employer requests it. This could be written confirmation from:
  • a social worker;
  • a member of the College of Psychologists;
  • a duly qualified medical practitioner;
  • a practicing member of the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association or the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan;
  • a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or another police service; or
  • another person approved by the employer who is employed by an agency or organization that provides emergency or transitional shelter or support for victims of interpersonal violence.
• Employers are required to ensure personal information about employees accessing the leave is kept confidential.

Tenants who are affected by interpersonal violence may be able to end a lease early if the continuation of the tenancy could pose a safety risk. Victims must obtain a certificate from Victim Services which then allows them to end a fixed term tenancy by giving 28 days’ notice to the landlord. Contact Victim Services toll free at 1-888-286-6664 for more information.

Intimate partner violence, also known as domestic violence, can include physical, psychological, emotional, verbal, financial, sexual, and spiritual abuse; excessive jealousy and control; harassment after separation; and murder. Anyone can be a victim of abuse, regardless of ethnic background, age, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, marital, financial or employment status. Visit PATHS (Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan) for further information.

The Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol (Clare’s Law) Act authorizes a police protocol to disclose risk information related to someone’s violent or abusive past to intimate partners whose safety may be threatened.

• Information can be disclosed to applicants who believe they may be at risk from an intimate partner (“right to ask”), and to persons identified by police to be at risk (“right to know”).
• To make a request under Clare’s Law, contact your local Police service to start the process.

Some stalking behaviour is against the law and is known as “criminal harassment” in the Criminal Code of Canada. You can learn more about stalking and the crime of criminal harassment, keeping a stalking log, reducing the risk of harm when being stalked, and reporting harassment to the police, by reading the Stalking Information Sheet.

Keeping a stalking log is an important way to keep track of unwanted attention and conduct to establish a pattern of harassment. The police may use your stalking log as evidence in a criminal harassment investigation. You may wish to use this example of a stalking log.

“Signal for Help” is a simple one-handed sign someone can use on a video call. It can help a person silently show they need help and want someone to check in with them in a safe way. Click here for further information from the Canadian Women’s Foundation. *NOTE: this signal may not be widely recognized – if you use it, practice caution and have other options for seeking help in case it is not recognized.*

• If you witness domestic violence happening—for example, hearing violence in the apartment next to you or seeing a weapon being used to threaten someone—call 911 immediately.

Intimate partner violence, also known as domestic violence, can include physical, psychological, emotional, verbal, financial, sexual, and spiritual abuse; excessive jealousy and control; harassment after separation; and murder. Anyone can be a victim of abuse, regardless of ethnic background, age, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, marital, financial or employment status. Visit PATHS (Provincial Assocation of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan) for further information.

Below are a few ways you can help someone that is being abused, or you suspect is being abused:

• Listen to their story and believe them.
• Ask questions like:
  • Do you feel safe?
  • Can I help you find a safe place to stay?
  • Is there anything you need to tell me in confidence?
• Encourage your friend to think about safety and help build an escape plan.
• Reach out to domestic violence programs and shelters.
• Refrain from using discriminating words or phrases that reinforce harmful stereotypes about women and girls.
• Encourage healthy conversations about women and girls in your peer groups or family gatherings.
• Consider attending or hosting an interpersonal violence awareness training session for organizations you are involved with.

The Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol (Clare’s Law) Act authorizes a police protocol to disclose risk information related to someone’s violent or abusive past to intimate partners whose safety may be threatened.

• Information can be disclosed to applicants who believe they may be at risk from an intimate partner (“right to ask”), and to persons identified by police to be at risk (“right to know”).
• To make a request under Clare’s Law, contact your local Police service to start the process.

“Signal for Help” is a simple one-handed sign someone can use on a video call. It can help a person silently show they need help and want someone to check in with them in a safe way. Click here for further information from the Canadian Women’s Foundation. *NOTE: this signal may not be widely recognized at this point – if you use it, practice caution and have other options for seeking help in case it is not recognized.*

Victims of abuse and crime have special protections to help address the matter, explore their legal remedies, and connect with available support. There are additional considerations and safeguards for victims of sexual violence.

Visit PLEA (Public Legal Education Association) for legal information related to Abusive Relationships, Victims of Crime, and Victims of Sexual Assault.

Contact Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan to see if free legal advice is available to you.

• The Victims of Interpersonal Violence Act (formerly known as The Victims of Domestic Violence Act)
  • Saskatchewan has a law that provides additional ways to help fight violence in personal relationships. This law applies to:
    • people who live together or have lived together as a couple or a family
    • people who live together or have lived together in an intimate relationship
    • parents of a child regardless of whether they are married and/or have ever lived together
    • people in an ongoing caregiving relationship whether they have lived together or not.
  • This law creates three ways to deal with interpersonal violence:
    1. Emergency Intervention Orders
       • In an emergency, victims of interpersonal violence can apply to a special Justice of the Peace for help at any time of the day or night. Police officers, mobile crisis workers and victim services coordinators can help victims do this. In an emergency the Justice of the Peace can make an order without waiting for the case to go to court and without the accused being notified of the hearing or being present. The Justice of the Peace must be satisfied that there has been interpersonal violence and that the matter cannot wait for a court hearing.
       • An emergency intervention order can include an order that:
         • the victim have exclusive occupation of the home
         • a police officer remove the accused from the home
         • a police officer supervise while the accused or the victim takes personal belongings from the home
         • the accused not contact the victim and other family members
         • the accused not be near specified places where the victim or the family regularly go, such as their school or workplace
         • After a Justice of the Peace grants an emergency intervention order, the accused must be given a copy of the order. The order does not take effect against that person until they receive a copy of the order.
    2. Victim’s Assistance Orders
       • A victim’s assistance order is similar to an emergency intervention order, but is designed to be used in non-emergency situations. This type of application is made by the victim to a judge at the Court of Queen’s Bench. When making a victim’s assistance order a judge can include any of the orders that may be made under an emergency intervention order.
       • A victim’s assistance order can also include an order:
         • that the accused pay the victim compensation for things like medical or dental expenses, moving expenses or legal fees
         • that either party have temporary possession of things like a car, children’s clothing, identification, keys or passwords
         • preventing the accused from selling or damaging any property that the victim has an interest in
         • recommending that the accused receive counselling
         • that the accused post a bond to ensure that they comply with the terms of any order.
    3. Warrants Permitting Entry
       • A Justice of the Peace may grant a warrant to a police officer, or other designated person, to enter a place where there are reasonable grounds to believe a victim of interpersonal violence will be found. The warrant may be granted only after the potential abuser has refused access to helpers or to the police to check on a person who may be a victim of interpersonal violence. It gives the holder of the warrant the right to go into the home. They may assist or examine the possible victim and may remove the victim from the home, if necessary.
• Paid Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Violence Leave(Saskatchewan Employment Amendment Act, 2019;  Saskatchewan Employment Amendment Act, 2017)
  • Interpersonal violence leave is a job-protected leave of up to 10 days in a period of 52 weeks for survivors of interpersonal or sexual violence to access supports or relocate to a new home.
    • The 10 day leave can be taken as five employer paid days and five unpaid days.
    • The leave can be broken down into days or hours as required.
    • Only time spent away from work would be considered leave time.
  • Eligibility: an employee who is a victim of interpersonal or sexual violence or an employee who is a parent of a child who is a victim or an employee who is a caregiver of a victim of interpersonal or sexual violence and the employee requires time off work to:
    • seek medical attention for a victim with respect to a physical or psychological injury or disability caused by interpersonal or sexual violence;
    • obtain services from a victim services organization;
    • obtain psychological or other professional counselling;
    • relocate temporarily or permanently; or
    • seek legal or law enforcement assistance, including preparing for or participating in any civil or criminal legal proceeding related to or resulting from the interpersonal or sexual violence.
  • Employees must have worked for an employer for a minimum of 13 weeks and will be required to provide evidence of the services being received if the employer requests it. This could be written confirmation from:
    • a social worker;
    • a member of the College of Psychologists;
    • a duly qualified medical practitioner;
    • a practicing member of the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association or the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan;
    • a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or another police service; or
    • another person approved by the employer who is employed by an agency or organization that provides emergency or transitional shelter or support for victims of interpersonal violence.
  • Employers are required to ensure personal information about employees accessing the leave is kept confidential.
• The Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol (Clare’s Law) Act
  • The Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol (Clare’s Law) Act authorizes a police protocol to disclose risk information related to someone’s violent or abusive past to intimate partners whose safety may be threatened.
  • Information can be disclosed to applicants who believe they may be at risk from an intimate partner (“right to ask”), and to persons identified by police to be at risk (“right to know”).
  • To make a request under Clare’s Law, contact your local Police service to start the process.
  • Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol (June 1, 2020) (Clare’s Law); (Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police)
  • Orders of the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police June 1, 2020 (Clare’s Law)
• The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006
• Saskatchewan Child Abuse Protocol 2014
• The Privacy Amendment Act, 2018

The Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol (Clare’s Law) Act authorizes a police protocol to disclose risk information related to someone’s violent or abusive past to intimate partners whose safety may be threatened.

• Information can be disclosed to applicants who believe they may be at risk from an intimate partner (“right to ask”), and to persons identified by police to be at risk (“right to know”).
• To make a request under Clare’s Law, contact your local Police service to start the process.

Some stalking behaviour is against the law and is known as “criminal harassment” in the Criminal Code of Canada. You can learn more about stalking and the crime of criminal harassment, keeping a stalking log, reducing the risk of harm when being stalked, and reporting harassment to the police, by reading the Stalking Information Sheet.

Keeping a stalking log is an important way to keep track of unwanted attention and conduct to establish a pattern of harassment. The police may use your stalking log as evidence in a criminal harassment investigation. You may wish to use this example of a stalking log.

• Interpersonal Violence Leave is a job-protected leave of up to 10 days in a period of 52 weeks for survivors of interpersonal or sexual violence to access supports or relocate to a new home.
  • The 10 day leave can be taken as five employer paid days and five unpaid days.
  • The leave can be broken down into days or hours as required.
  • Only time spent away from work would be considered leave time.
• Eligibility: an employee who is a victim of interpersonal or sexual violence or an employee who is a parent of a child who is a victim or an employee who is a caregiver of a victim of interpersonal or sexual violence and the employee requires time off work to:
  • seek medical attention for a victim with respect to a physical or psychological injury or disability caused by interpersonal or sexual violence;
  • obtain services from a victim services organization;
  • obtain psychological or other professional counselling;
  • relocate temporarily or permanently; or
  • seek legal or law enforcement assistance, including preparing for or participating in any civil or criminal legal proceeding related to or resulting from the interpersonal or sexual violence.
• Employees must have worked for an employer for a minimum of 13 weeks and will be required to provide evidence of the services being received if the employer requests it. This could be written confirmation from:
  • a social worker;
  • a member of the College of Psychologists;
  • a duly qualified medical practitioner;
  • a practicing member of the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association or the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan;
  • a member of the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) or another police service; or
  • another person approved by the employer who is employed by an agency or organization that provides emergency or transitional shelter or support for victims of interpersonal violence.
• Employers are required to ensure personal information about employees accessing the leave is kept confidential.

Tenants who are affected by interpersonal violence may be able to end a lease early if the continuation of the tenancy could pose a safety risk. Victims must obtain a certificate from Victim Services which then allows them to end a fixed term tenancy by giving 28 days’ notice to the landlord. Contact Victim Services toll free at 1-888-286-6664 for more information.

• Saskatchewan has programs to assist children and youth who have been exposed to interpersonal violence or abuse, with a goal of preventing them from becoming victims or perpetrators of violence and abuse in the future. Visit the Government of Saskatchewan website for a list of programs throughout the province.
• Young children are especially vulnerable during incidences of intimate partner violence because they are small, unable to protect themselves, and likely to be home when conflict is occurring. Visit Saskatchewan Prevention Institute for related information and resources.
• Child Abuse and Domestic Violence: all children are at risk of abuse – visit the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute website for related information and resources.
• Child Abuse and Neglect: Child protection services are available from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services for children who are believed to be in need of protection.
  • It is the goal of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services to keep children in their family home whenever possible and, if a child must be removed for their protection, to reunite families as soon as possible.
  • For children and families living on-reserve, child protection services are provided by First Nations Child and Family Services Agencies.

Visit the Government of Saskatchewan website for related information, including: stopping child abuse and neglect; reporting abuse, neglect, and violence; and more.

• Re:CONNECT is a Saskatchewan resource geared towards male-identifying individuals, but accessible by all.
• The service provides safe, non-judgmental and confidential support for those who may be at risk of involvement in interpersonal or family violence.
• Connect by calling or texting 2-1-1, available 24/7.

• A number of programs aimed at safely keeping the family together are available. For help in finding programs or services for you, call 2-1-1, text 2-1-1, or start an online chat to speak with a caring Service Navigator, or search on the 211 Saskatchewan website.

• Visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s website or a list of treatment programs for men who abuse their partners in Saskatchewan, including anger management groups, healing circles, alternatives to violence programs, and more.

The spectrum of elder abuse can be very broad and may include: physical, social, psychological, sexual, emotional, financial, material, legal or regulatory abuse. Abuse may also include omissions or neglect, whether deliberate or unintentional, by oneself or others. Visit  Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism  for further information.

It can be challenging for Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer folx to access spaces and supports that affirm our identities and experiences. Visit the OutSaskatoon Gender Based Violence Project to learn about gender based violence, its impact on 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and how to support 2SLGBTQIA+ survivors of gender based violence.

Many 24-hour support lines are available for men and women in Saskatchewan – click here for information.

The Public Health Agency of Canada suggests contacting your local:

• Police Service
• RCMP Victim Services
• YMCA
• Counselling Services.

• Working with other agencies, government and non-government organizations, FILUs provide specialized services to families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
• Family members seeking information about their missing and murdered loved one can access the Saskatchewan FILU by contacting 1-833-529-6486.

• The MN-S Family Information Liaison Outreach (FILO) provides Métis-specific trauma supports and assists Métis citizens in obtaining information from public agencies.
• Call 306-371-6156 to access the service.

• If you are experiencing emotional distress and want to talk, call the First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness line at 1-855-242-3310 – it is toll free and available 24/7.
• Online chat is also available at hopeforwellness.ca.

• An online space for family members to honour the lives of their loved ones through personal stories, photos or other important aspects of someone’s life.

• Visit the website for information, including Truth Gathering, Documents, Interactive Resources, and more.

(2015)

via KAIROS Canada

Human trafficking is the exploitation of human beings for gain. Trafficking exists in many forms and victims are often forced or coerced to provide sexual services or labour.

Human trafficking does not require victims to cross national borders.

Visit the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline to view information on human trafficking and available resources.

Visit Hope Restored for more information and a safe space for resources and support without judgement.

For safety planning tips, visit the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline website.

Canada has comprehensive laws to combat human trafficking. You can learn more about Canadian Legislation through the Government of Canada website.

For information a summary of The Protection from Human Trafficking Act, visit the Government of Saskatchewan website.

Contact Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan to see if free legal advice is available to you.

If you have experienced sexual violence, you can receive free legal advice to help make an informed decision about your legal options through The Listen Project. To be eligible the sexual violence must have taken place in Saskatchewan.