The Family Violence Protection Act and the Provincial Court Family Violence Protection Rules are law in Newfoundland and Labrador. This law provides for new justice system responses in the form of emergency protection orders (EPOs) to help adult victims of family violence and their children in emergency situations.
This legislation fills a gap in the justice process for victims by providing for a broader range of more immediate responses than those available through the Criminal Code of Canada. All criminal justice responses to family violence will remain in place. The Family Violence Protection Act will provide additional responses.