Your Rights and the Law

Alberta’s Protection Against Family Violence Act  protects abused family members of all ages, whether they live together or apart. This includes:
- couples who are married, common-law, separated or divorced who may have children together or not
- parents who have not resided together
- birth, adopted, foster and step-children
- adults who live together and one person has legal care and custody over the other
 

A victim of family violence, domestic violence and abuse has a right to:

- be free and safe from violence
- be treated with courtesy, compassion and respect
- get information about their legal rights
- press charges for criminal actions
- have the maximum protection from abuse permitted by law including restraining or protection orders
- get help from community resources