Important Notes from the Victims of Domestic Violence Act

The Victims of Domestic Violence Act outlines legal protections for victims of domestic violence and their children. Some of these protections are:

• The police can arrest the abuser if the assault or incident involves:
  • an assault
  • verbal or physical injury
  • threats of violence
  • use of a weapon
  • or the abuser is in a violation of a no-contact order
• Police, rather than the victims, are responsible to lay charges against the abuser.
• The victim cannot drop charges.
• When dealing with the police, victims should ask for:
  • the officer’s name or badge number
  • case number
  • contact number