Crime Prevention Association of NB Inc 33 WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU CALL THE POLICE? If someone has abused you, you should tell the police.All parts of Canada have police and Crown prosecutor and spousal abuse policies to ensure that spousal violence is treated as seriously as stranger violence. The police might arrest the person if they believe the person has broken the law.The person might have to go to jail for a few hours until the bail hearing or maybe longer depending on what the judge decides. If you are afraid for your safety, ask the police to notify you before the person is let out of jail.The judge may set rules for the release of the person who abused you. For example, the judge may order that the person is not allowed to contact you. If you are afraid of being hurt when the person is released from jail, you may want to find a safe place to stay such as with a friend or at a shelter. In some provinces and territories you may be able to get a non-criminal emergency protection order, such as a court order that tells the person who was abusive that they must not communicate with you.The order might make the person abusing you leave the family home for a period of time.You can ask police or victims services for information on how to go about this. If an emergency protection order is not available, you may be able to get a peace bond. WHAT HAPPENS IFTHE POLICE CHARGETHE PERSONWHOABUSEDYOU? If the person who abused you pleads guilty to a criminal offence, the judge will decide on a sentence. The sentence may be a fine or probation.The person who abused you might also have to get counselling.The judge might also order time in jail. In deciding on a sentence, the judge will consider many things. For example, the judge will consider whether this is a first offence and how severe the abuse was. If you are afraid, tell the Crown prosecutor or your victim services worker. If the person who abused you gets probation, the judge might release them with conditions. If the person who abused you tells the judge they are not guilty, then there will likely be a trial. It may be
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