- Helping families navigate the impacts of gender-based violence
- Providing compassionate support to women facing intimate partner violence
- Equipping communities with awareness and guidance to access safety tools
- I4,416 firearm‑related violent crimes in 2023
- 2.6% of all violent crime involved a firearm
- 15% of victims were harmed by a partner or family member
- In those cases, 84% of victims were women or girls
- 289 firearm‑related homicides in 2023
- 89% of accused were men; median age 26
Why This Matters: Risk & Lethality
- Access to firearms significantly increases the lethality of intimate partner violence.
- Firearms are a major method of self-harm: Red Flag laws provide a legal prevention tool.
- These laws are proactive, not punitive — they help prevent harm, not just punish after the fact.
- Community-driven safety tools.
What Are Red Flag Laws in Canada?
- Known legally as Emergency Prohibition Orders (EPOs) and Emergency Limitations on Access Orders (ELAOs).
- Introduced under Bill C-21 to allow individuals (not just law enforcement) to apply.
- Temporary, preventative, safety-focused.
- If you follow the order’s terms, having an order does not necessarily mean a criminal record.
How the Orders Work:
- Emergency Prohibition Order (EPO): Removes firearms / licences for up to 30 days.
- Emergency Limitation on Access (ELAO): Places limits (e.g., where/how firearms are stored or used) or requires surrender.
- After the emergency period, the court can schedule a longer-term hearing, potentially up to 5 years.
Application Process:
- Application to Court — Anyone can apply (family, friend, partner) for an EPO or ELAO.
- Ex Parte Hearing — Applicant may not be identified; court may seal or redact identity.
- Order Is Issued — If granted, firearms are surrendered or seized.
- Long-Term Hearing — Judge may set date for a longer prohibition order (up to 5 years).
Protection for Applicants
To protect applicants, judges can seal documents or remove names, contact information, or other personal identifiers.
Judges can also order a closed hearing, excluding the public and media.
Confidentiality helps applicants share information more freely and reduces the risk of intimidation, harassment, or further violence.
Project Red Flag Resources:
- Poster
- Brochure
- Rack Card
If you’re in immediate danger – dial 911.
Help your children know how to get help in an emergency.
If they’re old enough, teach your children how to call 911 in an emergency. Make sure they know:
- How to dial 911 and speak to the operator
- Their full name, home address, and phone number
- How to describe what’s happening (for example, “my mom is hurt,” or “someone is fighting”)
- That it’s okay to call 911 if they feel unsafe or if someone is hurt
Practicing this in a calm and supportive way can help them feel confident and prepared if they ever need to act.
Funding Acknowledgement
Mobilizing Knowledge of Red Flag Laws for Victims and Those at Risk of Domestic, Intimate Partner, and Gender-Based Violence
This funding supports 23 organizations in communities across Canada on projects to help raise awareness of “Red Flag” laws among individuals at risk of firearm-related harm, including women, Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, and people experiencing mental health conditions.
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver’s “Mobilizing Knowledge of Red Flag Laws for Victims and Those at Risk of Domestic, Intimate Partner, and Gender-Based Violence” project will raise awareness of “Red Flag” laws among individuals at risk, including Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, racialized, newcomer, and rural communities in British Columbia and the Yukon, to reduce firearm-related harm, build trust in legal systems, and empower communities to take steps towards safety. Using a trauma-informed, survivor-centered approach, the initiative will share clear, culturally relevant information through bilingual workshops, digital platforms, and outreach. It will offer plain-language resources along with step-by-step guidance on how to apply for protective orders and access related supports like peace bonds and no-contact orders. Legal experts, community leaders, and survivors will be involved to ensure the content is accurate and grounded in lived experience.
Email: Redflag@efry.com; Phone: 604-520-1166; Toll-Free: 1-888-879-9593
Program funded by Public Safety Canada’s Red Flag Awareness Initiative 2025
