Children who witness abuse in their families even if they themselves are not the targets can suffer a great deal. They often grow up believing that abuse is part of a normal relationship and many become abusers or abuse victims themselves. If a spouse, a partner or a child is being abused, both criminal law and civil law offer assistance and protection. Each branch of the law provides different remedies. It may be necessary to use both systems for the best available protection.
Criminal law is intended to stop crimes or offences from being committed and punish offenders.
Usually, the police lay charges and a Crown Attorney will prosecute the case in court. Under criminal law, once someone is arrested and charged with abusing his or her spouse, the court can impose conditions on the alleged abuser, until the charge is dealt with in court. The conditions may include no contact or communication with the victim or forbidding the alleged abuser from using alcohol, for example. Civil law is used to settle disputes between individuals and can also provide protection for an individual. Those who want the assistance and protection of civil law must apply to court and hire their own lawyer if they wish to be represented.