You always have options in situations of abuse. You may get help from any one, or combination of the following:
Remember!
The law states that an accused person is innocent until proven guilty in a fair
and public trial. The burden of proof -that the person broke the law-is on the
Prosecuting Attorney. And, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable
doubt. If a trial is imminent, it may not begin immediately.
Legal Aid is available to low-income individuals for a variety of legal problems, including family disputes, immigration and refugee hearings and poverty issues such as landlord/tenant disputes, disability support and family benefits payments. Legal aid is available through a certificate program, which entitles clients to receive advice and representation by private lawyers or by legal aid staff lawyers. You must apply in person for a legal aid certificate at a local legal aid office. If you are eligible for legal aid, you may take your legal aid certificate to a lawyer of your choice. Every Ontario resident who needs legal assistance can apply. Eligibility for legal aid certificates is based on financial need and the type of case. The applicant may pay nothing or a portion of the cost of legal aid, depending on their financial situation." (FROM: Legal Aid Ontario-Getting Legal Help www.legalaid.on.ca).
If you live in the Thunder Bay region:
There are two victim/witness programs available to help you.
The Victim Crisis Assistance and Referral Service or VCARS
(pronounced like "vicars") works in partnership with the Thunder Bay Police
and Ontario Provincial Police to help crime victims through the immediate
crisis of victimization. VCARS provides on-scene crisis response assistance,
short-term practical and emotional support, and referrals to other community
resources. Their services are available by phone or in person.
The Victim/Witness Assistance Program, a program of the Ministry of the Attorney General, can help ensure your security and safety from the offender. Their job is to guide you through the court process. Staff should explain police procedures, keeping you informed of progress as police investigate your case. They should ensure that you know dates and places of all significant proceedings (bail hearings, preliminary hearings, interim release, etc.). If the accused is found guilty, staff should also notify you of sentencing hearings, and any scheduled release of the accused person. While many callers to the Victim/Witness Program need specific information about their case, other callers are just looking for someone to talk to. People in any job get busy. The Victim/Witness Program is no exception. If you believe staff may not be keeping you up-to-date on your situation, call him or her. Nobody forgets on purpose, but mistakes and omissions do occur.
Get a referral to see a counselor who can help you work through possible feelings of shame, guilt and fear. A counselor can assure you that these feelings are normal. Almost every victim of violence feels that he or she did something to provoke the attacker. It may take a while in counseling to feel better about yourself. If you are a woman who experienced abuse early in life, being re-victimized can be even more traumatic. Re-victimization can escalate (increase) disability symptoms or cause a new disability. Help is available and you owe it to yourself to request it.