The purpose of this site is to provide plain language information about the law to victims of violence in intimate relationships and their supporters. Willownet provides legal information that may help you if you are experiencing violence in a relationship. The site has information that is helpful on: facts about abuse, effects of relationship violence, what the law says about abuse, leaving the relationship safely (safety plan), taking your kids with you, pets, Protective Orders (EPOs, KBPOs) and going to court. The site also provides links to other family violence resources.
Refers to any form of physical, emotional, financial, or sexual abuse against spouses, elder family members, or children. General resources relate to family violence in general, that is they cover a broad range of subjects within family violence.
To find information on specific aspects of family violence, choose from the list of keywords below.
Albertans affected by family violence can get help through the government and community organizations located across the province.
The Central Alberta Women's Outreach Society provides basic needs and emotional support for individuals as well as providing education and support in specific areas such as domestic violence, family law, and the effects of crisis on families. The Society offers a legal information and referrals program. This program provides legal information and referrals to individuals as they navigate through the legal and judicial system. Their staff will assist clients to identify legal issues and prioritize legal needs.
You may obtain the Alberta Divorce Kit which contains the forms required, plus information on how to get the process started from most stationary stores and also the King's Printer Bookstore located in Edmonton and Calgary. Note: The item must be ordered; it cannot be downloaded.. The kit contains all the information required to obtain an uncontested divorce in Alberta. It includes a step by-step guide, plus all the necessary forms specific to the laws of Alberta. All the required forms are included on a CD-Rom. You can use this kit to process an uncontested divorce if at least one spouse has resided in Alberta for the last year; and there are no disputes over child custody, property, or spousal support.
This kit has been designed for landlords, property managers and anyone else who works on-site or has access to residential rental units. It will help you understand the role you can play in preventing domestic violence on your premises. It also provides basic information on dealing with domestic violence when it does occur. For more CPLEA resources on abuse and violence in a relationship see: www.willownet.ca and www.cplea.ca/publications/abuse-and-family-violence/
This online tutorial was created by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta. There are several different kinds of protective orders. Some are available under federal law (the Criminal Code of Canada); some are available under provincial laws. If you have been abused and want the abuser to stay away from you, you can apply for protective court orders. These court orders tell the abuser to stay away. If the abuser then does not stay away, he or she can be punished.
These two online tutorials were created by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta. The first covers making a report to the police; what will they do; and what you may have to do. The second explains what else may happen for the accused.
Today Family Violence Help Centre is an Edmonton based, non-profit organization that offers a safe place for individuals victimized by family violence to access free, confidential, emotional and practical support. Today Centre provides short-term support through risk assessment, safety planning, assessment of immediate needs, and supported referrals.
United Cultures of Canada Association is a non-profit community based organization located in Edmonton, Alberta. It provides a variety of program and services to Edmonton's multicultual community. Their mandate is to create situations of social inclusion for immigrant communities leading to their effective participation and successful integration into Canadian society. Included in the many initiatives offered by the Association are services, programs and publications on that provide information on human rights, residential tenancies, domestic abuse, interpreting services and a free Multicultural Family Law Facilitation (Interpreting) Service. This free service is provided to ensure equal access to justice for those who are experiencing language barriers and assist service providers and newcomer communities in family law matters, UCCA provides on-site and phone legal interpreting in a number of lanaguages.
Alberta Resources
This publication from Alberta Children and Youth Services (Prevention of Family Violence and Bullying Unit) explains the nature of abuse of persons with disabilites. It then describes what you can do if you realize that you are in an abusive relationship or you are concerned about a friend who may be in such a situation. (PDF – 15 pages)
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