National Law and Parenting Toolkit
If you are a woman with children and are leaving a relationship in which your partner has been abusive to you, this toolkit is for you. The abuse could include controlling behaviour by your partner and emotional and/or physical violence.
When a relationship ends, parents must sort out arrangements for their children, including:
- When the children will spend time with each parent, and
- Who has decision-making responsibilities about important issues that affect the children.
Until these issues are resolved, the law sees both you and your partner as equally responsible for your children’s care.
This toolkit contains legal information about the laws in both Canada and Ontario regarding arrangements for children after a relationship ends. Family courts do not always understand violence against women in the family, so you need to know as much as you can about these laws. Be prepared to play an active role in your family law case to ensure that you get the best possible outcomes for you and your children.
The toolkit also provides tip sheets and checklists so that you can:
- Use the law to help the family court understand the impact of violence in your family.
- Use the law to show the family court what will be best for your children after you and your partner separate.
- Communicate with your ex-partner in a safe and effective way.
- Plan for your safety and that of your children.
- Make changes in the future if necessary
Download the National Law and Parenting Toolkit – English
Download the National Law and Parenting Toolkit – French