Abuse: Assessing evidence
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
Evidence of abuse or neglect includes
- court documents or protective orders, including release, no-contact or bail orders, orders pending trial or appeal, recognizance orders or peace bonds, probation orders following convictions, conviction certificate, victim impact statements (must clearly state that abuse occurred or is believed to have occurred)
- letters and statements from a women’s shelter or domestic abuse support organization
- letters and statements from a medical clinic
- letters, statements and reports from a medical doctor or a healthcare professional
- sworn statements (affidavits)
- police or incident reports (related documents, such as reports indicating passports and travel documents were withheld, and the police had to retrieve them)
- photos that show the victim with injuries
- hard copies of emails and text messages
- affidavits from a friend, a family member, a neighbour, a co-worker, staff members of support agencies, law enforcement, or someone similar
This list is not exhaustive and is simply intended to provide examples.