Violence and Abuse Prevention

Bullying can happen to anyone. It is often targeted and repeated. It is hurtful behaviour that involves power and can include teasing, conflict, aggression, intimidation and shame.

Bullying can affect mental health, relationships, the sense of safety, the ability to learn and to participate in activities. It can impact everyone including the person experiencing the bullying, the person who is displaying the aggressive and/or intimidating behaviour (e.g., bully) and anyone who witnesses bullying.

What to look for

• Helplessness, vulnerability, stress or fear
• Loneliness, embarrassment or shame
• Depression, anxiety or uncertainty
• Irritability, agitation, anger or frustration
• Change in sleep or eating patterns
• Stomach pains, headaches or other physical symptoms
• Changes in interest with work, school or social activities
• Increased family tension and stress
• Using substances (such as alcohol or drugs) to cope with painful feelings
• Thinking or talking about suicide

How to support someone who is being bullied  

• Offer support: Let the person know you are there for them to listen and support in a non-judgmental way.
• Work together:
  • With schools to make sure that a plan is in place. For more information about bullying for children and youth visit Parenting in Ottawa’s Bullying in Children and Bullying in Youth websites.
  • With colleagues, supervisors and human resources to ensure there are policies and they are being followed. For more information about supportive workplaces and preventing workplace bullying, visit haveTHATtalk, or Workplace Violence and Harassment (Ottawa Public Health).
  • Ensure that older adults who are being bullied are encouraged to reach out for help. For more information about Elder abuse.
• Increase safety: Help to decrease isolation and find safety supports.  
• Improve communication: Provide an environment where people feel more comfortable discussing bullying.

Content adapted with permission from: Alberta- Bullying prevention.

Where to find help

If you or someone you know is in danger, call 9-1-1. Crisis supports and other mental health, addictions and substance use health resources are available.

Child abuse can look different in each scenario. It can be found in many forms, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect.

In Ontario, there is legislation outlining that every person has a duty to report if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is or may be in need of protection. If you have concerns about a child or youth’s safety or well-being, report it to the local Children’s Aid Society.

If you or someone you know is in danger, call 9-1-1. Crisis supports and other mental health, addictions and substance use health resources are available.

Elder abuse is when a person, or group of people cause harm or distress to an elderly person. The harm can be financial, sexual, emotional or physical, or neglect. It can happen anywhere, such as in the home, community or an institutional setting. Learn more about preventing elder abuse and keeping yourself safe.

If you suspect elder abuse within a retirement or long-term care home, it is the law to report it.

Learn more about elder abuse (e.g., the signs, getting help, helping someone).

If you or someone you know is in danger, call 9-1-1. Crisis supports and other mental health, addictions and substance use health resources are available.

Family violence and abuse occurs between household members, or individuals in a relationship. It involves violent, threatening, controlling or coercive behaviour, causing intentional harm. Physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse or neglect can also occur. While family violence often occurs many times, or in a pattern of abuse, it can also be a single act of violence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence or abuse, help is available.

If you or someone you know is in danger, call 9-1-1. Crisis supports and other mental health, addictions and substance use health resources are available.

Ontario’s Gender Based Violence Strategy defines gender-based violence as any form of violence based on:

• Gender
• Gender expression (how a person presents their gender)
• Gender identity (who you know yourself to be, an internal sense of identity)

While anyone can experience GBV, women, children, members of the LGBTQ2+ community, newcomers and Indigenous peoples have a higher risk of encountering this form of abuse.

If you or someone you know is experiencing GBV, IPV or abuse, help is available.

If you or someone you know is in danger, call 9-1-1. Crisis supports and other mental health, addictions and substance use health resources are available.

Hate crimes are violent actions towards certain groups of people. A person or group may be targeted for many reasons, based on their sex, race, religion, gender or identity.

Hate crimes can range from physical assault to symbolic targets (like targeting a place of worship). Report hate crimes immediately to prevent further harm to the community.

Learn more about taking action and challenging hate in Ontario.

If you or someone you know is in danger, call 9-1-1. Crisis supports and other mental health, addictions and substance use health resources are available.

Human trafficking involves recruiting, moving or holding a person (or persons) to exploit them for profit, usually for sexual reasons or forced labour.

Human trafficking is a criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. It is one of the fastest-growing crimes worldwide.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline is a Canadian, confidential human trafficking support resource. It offers 24/7 confidential support to people seeking help. You can also call 1-833-900-1010 (toll-free number) to report a case or to learn more about the topic.

In Ontario, there is legislation outlining that every person has a duty to report if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is or may be in need of protection. If you have concerns about a child or youth’s safety or well-being, report it to the local Children’s Aid Society.

If you or someone you know is experiencing human trafficking, help is available in Ottawa.

If you or someone you know is in danger, call 9-1-1. Crisis supports and other mental health, addictions and substance use health resources are available.

Online bullying and harassment are when someone uses online technology (like apps, emails, internet sites, social media, text messages, etc.) to threaten, harass, embarrass or control someone. It can damage a person’s reputation, relationships and impact their mental health. It can include stalking, surveillance, sexual harassment, impersonation and “doxing” (revealing a person’s identity or personal information online).

If you or someone you know is experiencing online bullying or harassment, help is available.

If you or someone you know is in danger, call 9-1-1. Crisis supports and other mental health, addictions and substance use health resources are available.

Sexual abuse refers to any sexual act that happens without consent, including threats or attempts to obtain sex or unwanted sexual comments or advances.

Consent is voluntarily, enthusiastically and freely agreeing to engage in a sexual activity at a particular time without manipulation or threats – it only applies to the activity at that time. Consent can be withdrawn (taken back) at any time. It’s not just about saying “yes” or “no” once. A person needs to get consent for any new activity or any activities at a later time.

Everyone involved must actively, willingly, and continuously give consent to the sexual activity.

In Canada, some laws outline the age at which people can give consent.  

The use of substances can impact a person’s ability to give consent.

Sexual abuse is not just physical. Sexual abuse can describe a range of actions, including

• Catcalling and whistling
• Sharing of intimate photos without permission
• Unwanted kissing and touching
• Threatening someone to get sex
• Sexual assault

Anyone can experience sexual abuse. If you think you are at risk of sexual abuse or might have experienced sexual abuse, tell someone you trust, or contact the Ottawa Police Services. Their Victim Support Unit (VSU) will work to make sure that the best support and services are provided to people experiencing sexual abuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual abuse, help is available.

If you or someone you know is in danger, call 9-1-1. Crisis supports and other mental health, addictions and substance use health resources are available.

Street level violence is violence or abuse inflicted by a person or group of people in a public place.

Gun Violence is violence and harm inflicted by a person or group of people with the use of firearms.

For information on street level violence or abuse and gun violence visit Ottawa Police Services.

If you or someone you know is in danger, call 9-1-1. Crisis supports and other mental health, addictions and substance use health resources are available.

Workplace violence and harassment is when a person is threatened, intimidated or assaulted at work.

In Ontario, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) protects all staff and workers. It aims to ensure that everyone can work in a safe and healthy workplace.

The OHSA includes information on the duty of employers to protect workers from workplace violence and harassment.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety provides resources for workers and employers on how to prevent workplace violence and harassment.

For more information on general protection of safety in the workplace, please visit “Protection of physical safety” on the For workplaces - Ottawa Public Health page.

If you or someone you know is experiencing violence or harassment in a work setting, help is available.

If you or someone you know is in danger, call 9-1-1. Crisis supports and other mental health, addictions and substance use health resources are available.

Youth dating violence and abuse is any violence, abuse, threats or manipulation by a partner within a romantic or sexual relationship.

More information on youth dating violence can be found at Addressing Youth Dating Violence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing violence or abuse in a relationship, help is available.

If you or someone you know is in danger, call 9-1-1. Crisis supports and other mental health, addictions and substance use health resources are available.

Mental health, Addictions and Substance Use Health in the Community Dashboard:

The dashboard presents community-level data on:

• Mental health, addictions and substance use health issues
• The needs of people in the community (including a targeted look at data related to the overdose crisis)
• The root causes of poor health

Community Safety Data Portal:

The Community Safety Data portal provides an overview of police activity to the community. It encourages community engagement by providing transparent information. Through this portal, members of the public can view, download and interact with data released by the Ottawa Police Service. Crime Map (YTD).

Violence and Abuse can be prevented, and we can all do our part to keep others safe.

Bystander Intervention is an effective strategy to help prevent violence and abuse. It involves playing an active role in your community by choosing to respond safely when you notice a potentially harmful situation. Take the Party Safer E-training to learn more.

Other things we can all do to help address and prevent violence and abuse, include:

• Always believe and support the person who has experienced or is experiencing violence or abuse.
• If you suspect someone experiencing violence or abuse, talk to them in a safe place.
• If safe to do so, get involved. In dangerous situations, or if you do not feel comfortable, call 9-1-1 or ask for help from others. 
• Talk to your children, friends and partners about consent. Explain that it must be actively, willingly and continuously given as it relates to a sexual activity.
• Teach your children early about healthy relationships, keeping safe, being respectful and caring for others.  
• Establish safe social connections and networks for support.
• Learn more about keeping your neighbourhood safer.

Additional Resources and Supports

For a complete list of resources and services in our community, please see the Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Health Services and Resources webpage.