- Most Ontario courthouses can offer some combination of the following, though exact availability varies by location and should be confirmed with the specific courthouse in advance: Ask…
- Safety doesn't stop at the courthouse door.
- Family violence isn't treated as a side issue in Ontario family law.
Walking into a courthouse to face someone who has hurt you is one of the hardest parts of a family law case. You may be worried about running into them in a hallway, being questioned in the same room, or simply not knowing what to expect. Ontario's courts have a range of family court safety measures built specifically for this situation — you just need to know they exist and how to ask for them.
None of these measures require you to prove your entire case in advance. Courthouse staff, duty counsel, and your own lawyer can help you put safeguards in place before your first appearance, not after something goes wrong.
This guide walks through what's available, how the court treats family violence in its decisions, and the practical steps for requesting accommodations.
Physical Safety Measures at the Courthouse
Most Ontario courthouses can offer some combination of the following, though exact availability varies by location and should be confirmed with the specific courthouse in advance:
| Measure | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Separate waiting areas | Keeps you and the other party apart before your case is called |
| Staggered arrival or departure times | Lets you enter or leave the building without crossing paths |
| Security screening at entry | Screens everyone entering the courthouse for weapons |
| Court services officers | Uniformed staff who can escort you or intervene if there's an incident |
| Private consultation rooms | A space to meet your lawyer or a support worker away from public areas |
Ask the courthouse's front counter or your lawyer which of these are actually offered at the location where your case is being heard — resources differ between a small satellite courthouse and a larger regional one.
Procedural Safety Measures During a Hearing
Safety doesn't stop at the courthouse door. Depending on the judge and the courthouse's capacity, procedural options can include:
- Testifying by videoconference rather than in person
- Giving evidence from behind a screen or partition so you aren't in direct sightline of the other party
- Having a support person sit with you during the hearing
- Scheduling so that you and the other party aren't required in the courtroom at the same time for certain steps
- Written or affidavit evidence in place of live testimony, where the judge permits it
These aren't automatic. You generally need to raise the request — through your lawyer, or directly with court staff if you're unrepresented — before the hearing date.
How Family Violence Factors Into the Court's Decisions
Family violence isn't treated as a side issue in Ontario family law. Under the Divorce Act, a child's exposure to family violence — and each parent's ability to care for and safely co-parent the child — is an express factor the court must consider in any parenting or contact decision. This applies whether or not criminal charges have been laid.
That means disclosing safety concerns to the court isn't just about your comfort during the hearing — it's directly relevant to how decision-making responsibility, parenting time, and contact get decided.
Requesting Accommodations: What to Do
- Tell your lawyer early. The sooner safety concerns are on the record, the more time there is to arrange accommodations before a hearing date.
- Ask about support programs. Ontario funds free programs that help survivors navigate family court logistics and safety planning — ask your lawyer or courthouse staff what's available in your area.
- Notify court staff directly if you're unrepresented. Court services staff can flag your file for safety accommodations even without a lawyer involved.
- Bring supporting documentation if you have it. Police reports, prior protection orders, or medical records can help staff understand the urgency, though they aren't required just to ask for a safe waiting area.
- Build a safety plan for the day itself — transportation, who you're meeting, and where you'll go afterward.
Frequently asked questions
Will the other party know I requested safety measures?
Not necessarily. Requests like separate waiting areas are handled administratively by courthouse staff and don't require notifying the other party, though anything that changes how a hearing is run — like remote testimony — may need to go before the judge, sometimes with notice to the other side.
Can I bring someone with me for support?
In most cases, yes. A friend, family member, or support worker can generally accompany you into public areas of the courthouse and often into the courtroom itself, subject to the judge's discretion and the courthouse's space.
Do I need a lawyer to request these accommodations?
No. Court services staff can assist self-represented parties with basic accommodations like separate waiting areas and security escorts. A lawyer can help with anything that requires a judge's order, such as testifying remotely.
What if I feel unsafe and nothing is in place yet?
Raise it immediately with court staff when you arrive. Most courthouses can respond same-day for basic separation measures, even if more formal accommodations take longer to arrange.
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