Making the decision to file a police report for domestic violence is an act of immense courage. It can be an intimidating process, filled with uncertainty. This guide is designed to demystify the steps involved in making a report to the Toronto Police Service, help you prepare, and empower you with the information you need to move forward.

Filing a report is a personal choice. For some, it is a critical step towards safety and justice. For others, it may not be the right path at this time. There is no wrong decision.

Your immediate safety is the number one priority.

• If you are in immediate danger or an emergency is in progress, call 911. Do not go to a police station.

• Talk to a support service first. We strongly recommend contacting a confidential support line before going to the police. They can help you with safety planning and explain your options.

  • Assaulted Women's Helpline: 416-863-0511 (24/7 crisis line)

  • Victim Services Toronto: 416-808-7066 (24/7 crisis response and support)

Step 1: Gather Your Information (If It Is Safe to Do So) Being prepared can make the process smoother. Try to have this information ready:

• The abuser’s full name, date of birth, and last known address.

• Your own identification.

• A timeline of abusive incidents (a log or journal is very helpful).

• Any evidence you have, such as photos of injuries or damaged property, saved text messages or emails, or names of any witnesses.

Step 2: Choose How to Make the Report

• In an Emergency: Call 911.

• For a Past Incident (No Immediate Danger): Call the Toronto Police non-emergency line at 416-808-2222.

• In Person: You can go to any Toronto Police Service division to file a report in person. This is often the most effective way to report a pattern of abuse.

Step 3: Giving Your Statement You will be taken to a private room to speak with an officer. In Toronto, this may be an officer from the specialized Domestic Violence Investigation Services. You have the right to have a support person with you (like a worker from Victim Services). The officer will ask you questions and write down your official statement. Be as factual and chronological as you can.

Step 4: After the Statement The police will begin an investigation. You will be given an occurrence number (your police report number) and the officer’s name and badge number. Keep this information in a safe place; it is essential for any future legal proceedings or for accessing victim services.

Your statement should be a clear, factual account. Focus on what, when, where, and who. Describe actions, not just your feelings about them.

Sample Statement

Your Name: Jane DOE (DOB: YYYY-MM-DD) Accused’s Name: John SMITH (DOB: YYYY-MM-DD) Relationship: Ex-partner, separated since June 2025.

Most Recent Incident: "On Thursday, July 31, 2025, at approximately 9:00 PM, I was at my home at 123 Main Street, Toronto. John SMITH came to my door uninvited. I did not let him in. He began yelling and banging on the door for 10 minutes. He shouted, 'You'll be sorry if you don't open this door.' He then sent me 25 text messages in a row between 9:15 PM and 9:45 PM. The messages included things like 'I'm always watching you' and 'You'll never be safe from me.' I have saved these messages on my phone." [Note: Be specific with dates, times, locations, and direct quotes. This creates a clear picture.]

History of Abuse: "This is part of an ongoing pattern. On July 15, 2025, he followed me home from my workplace. On July 1, 2025, he threw a coffee mug at the wall beside my head during an argument, causing me to fear he would hit me. He controlled my access to our joint bank account from January to June 2025." [Note: Including a brief history shows a pattern of behaviour, which is crucial for establishing criminal harassment.]

Statement of Fear: "As a result of his repeated and unwanted actions, including his threats tonight, I am afraid for my safety. I believe he will continue to harass me and I am scared of what he will do next." *[Note: This sentence is critical. It directly addresses the element of fear required for a charge of Criminal Harassment (stalking).]

• Investigation: The police will investigate your report. They may interview witnesses or collect more evidence.

• Charges: In Ontario, police have a mandatory charging policy for domestic assault. If they have reasonable grounds to believe an assault occurred, they are required to lay a charge. The decision to proceed is made by the police and the Crown Attorney, not the survivor. You cannot "drop the charges" later.

• The Court Process: If charges are laid, a criminal court case begins. This can be a long process. The Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) is a government service that can help you navigate the court system.

Filing a report is a major decision, and it is entirely yours to make. By understanding the process, you can approach it with clarity and confidence, taking an important step in reclaiming your power and your right to live free from fear.

Your immediate safety is the top priority. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If there is no immediate danger, it is highly recommended that you first contact a support service like the Assaulted Women’s Helpline (416-863-0511) or Victim Services Toronto (416-808-7066). They can provide safety planning, explain your options, and support you through the reporting process.

For a past incident where there is no immediate emergency, you have two main options:

1. By Phone: Call the Toronto Police Service non-emergency line at 416-808-2222.
2. In Person: Go to any Toronto Police Service division to file a report. This is often the most effective method, especially if you need to report a pattern of abuse.

To help the police, try to gather the following information if it is safe to do so:

• The abuser's full name, date of birth, and last known address.
• A log or timeline of abusive incidents.
• Evidence such as photos of injuries, saved text messages or emails, and the names of any witnesses.
• Your own identification.

After you provide your official statement, the police will begin an investigation. You will be given an occurrence number (your report number), which you should keep in a safe place. In Ontario, police have a mandatory charging policy for domestic assault. This means if they have reasonable grounds to believe an assault occurred, they must lay a charge. The decision to proceed is made by the police and the Crown Attorney, not the survivor.

Your statement should be a clear and factual account. The article provides a sample structure and recommends you focus on what, when, where, and who.

• Be chronological and specific: Include dates, times, locations, and direct quotes.
• Detail the history of abuse: Mentioning past incidents helps establish a pattern.
• Include a "statement of fear": Clearly stating that the abuser's actions have made you fear for your safety is critical, especially for charges like criminal harassment.

No. Once a report is filed and police lay charges, the case becomes a matter between the "State" (represented by the Crown Attorney) and the accused. A survivor cannot "drop the charges." However, your input is still important, and you will be supported throughout the court process by services like the Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP).