BetterWhether you are living with violence at home, have been the victim of a crime, or feel powerless in the face of an unjust decision, hold on to this: it is not your fault, and you are not alone. In Quebec there are people trained to get you to safety, and services to assert your rights, even with no money. Here is how to find your way.
If you are in danger right now, call 911. For domestic violence, SOS violence conjugale answers day and night at 1 800 363-9010 (free, anonymous, confidential).
In immediate danger: 911. Domestic violence: SOS violence conjugale, 1 800 363-9010 (24/7). Sexual violence: Info-aide violence sexuelle, 1 888 933-9007. And for your rights, free help exists: Éducaloi (information), legal aid (a lawyer depending on your income) and Rebâtir (free consultations for victims of violence).
Start hereWhat is your situation?
Choose the door that fits you best right now.
Your safety firstIn danger or a victim of violence
If your safety, or your children's, is threatened, your protection comes before everything. These resources exist for that, and they will not judge you.
- SOS violence conjugale, 1 800 363-9010: support, listening and referral to a shelter. Free, anonymous, confidential, 24/7. Also by text at 438-601-1211. You can call even if you are only questioning your relationship.
- Info-aide violence sexuelle, 1 888 933-9007: listening and support, free, bilingual, confidential, 24/7.
- CAVAC, 1 866 532-2822: the crime victims assistance centres support you (support, information, help with your steps), whether or not the person responsible is prosecuted.
A child in danger? You can report the situation to the Direction de la protection de la jeunesse (DPJ) in your region; in an emergency, call 911. 211 can give you the right number near you.
Informing yourself, freeKnowing your rights
Understanding your rights is already taking back some power. Before paying for anything, two reliable and free sources explain the law in plain words:
- ÉducaloiQuebec law explained clearly (lease, family, work, violence…), free of charge.
- The Ministère de la Justice du Québecofficial information on procedures and recourse.
These tools inform, but they do not replace a lawyer's advice on your specific situation. For that, legal aid exists, see just below.
A lawyer, even with no moneyGetting legal help
Having no money does not mean having no rights.
- Legal aid provides a lawyer's services free or at low cost, depending on your income. It covers several situations (family, youth protection, criminal, and cases of violence). You apply at a legal aid office in your region.
- Rebâtir, 1 833 732-2847: free legal consultations for people who are victims of domestic, family or sexual violence.
Without depending on anyoneWhat you can do yourself
If you are living in a dangerous situation, preparing a safety plan can make a big difference. Here are steps you control, do only the ones that are safe for you.
Preparing, discreetly
- Prepare a small emergency bag (identification, a little money, medication, spare keys, clothes) and keep it with someone you trust or in a safe place.
- Identify in advance a place to go and a person to contact if you have to leave quickly.
- Agree on a secret word or sign with someone you trust to say "I need help" without having to explain.
- Keep a record of what is happening (dates, messages, photos) in a safe place, not only on your phone, which can be seen.
- Note a few important numbers somewhere other than your phone (on paper, at a friend's).
- If you have children, think ahead about what you take for them (comfort toy, papers, medication).
You do not have to build this plan alone: a worker at SOS violence conjugale can do it with you, at your pace.
One last wordYou deserve to be safe
Violence is never your fault, and asking for help is not an admission of weakness, it is an act of courage. You do not have to decide everything today. Take one single step: a call, a text, or simply reading your rights. That is already a step toward your safety, and you do not have to take it alone.
Frequently askedYour questions
What do I do if I am in danger right now?
Call 911 without hesitating. For domestic violence, you can also reach SOS violence conjugale at 1 800 363-9010: it is free, anonymous and confidential, 24/7. They can help you find a place in a shelter.
Are these services free and confidential?
Yes. SOS violence conjugale, Info-aide violence sexuelle, the CAVAC and Rebâtir consultations are free and confidential. You can call for yourself or for someone you are worried about.
I am experiencing violence but I am not sure it is "serious enough". Can I call?
Yes. You do not need to be certain, nor for it to be "serious enough". SOS violence conjugale also helps people who are questioning their relationship. Violence is never your fault, and you deserve to be safe.
Can I have a lawyer if I have no money?
Yes. Legal aid provides a lawyer's services free or at low cost depending on your income. And Rebâtir offers free legal consultations to people who are victims of domestic, family or sexual violence, at 1 833 732-2847.
Where can I find free information about my rights?
Éducaloi explains the law in plain words and free of charge, and the Ministère de la Justice du Québec informs on procedures. 211 can also point you to the right resource near you.
This may also helpOther needs
Do you need more help?
We are here to help you find the right door.
Sources
- Gouvernement du Québec, Domestic violence: help and resources (SOS, Info-aide, CAVAC, Rebâtir, in French)
- SOS violence conjugale, free and confidential services, 24/7 (in French)
- Commission des services juridiques, legal aid (in French)
- Éducaloi, your rights explained simply (in French)
About this article. General information, accurate as of the date shown, this is neither an emergency service nor legal advice. If you are in danger, call 911. The resources cited are free and confidential; their contact details can change, 211 can always point you in the right direction, and a lawyer or legal aid can advise you on your situation. BetterWorld is a social-economy organisation, independent of the Government of Quebec.
Spotted an error or an out-of-date figure? Write to us: we will correct it and re-date the article. Our texts are written with the help of artificial intelligence and checked against official sources before publication, but an amount or a rule can change without us catching it. If anything here does not match what an official body tells you, they are right.