The Partner Assault Response (PAR) Program in Ontario

The short answer

The Partner Assault Response program, or PAR, is a group program for people charged with assaulting an intimate partner in Ontario. It runs for about 12 weeks. Completing it can be part of resolving a domestic case, but it usually comes with a guilty plea. That trade-off is the main thing to understand before you agree to it, because it affects your record, your immigration status and your options at trial. This guide explains how the program works and what to consider first. See our domestic assault page for an overview.

What the program involves

PAR is run by community agencies and funded by Ontario's Ministry of the Attorney General. It usually includes:

• Group sessions: Weekly sessions with other participants, led by trained facilitators.
• Education: Information about abusive behaviour, its effects on partners and children, and healthier ways to handle conflict.
• Partner contact: Contact by program staff with the complainant, to offer support and safety planning.

PAR is not anger management. It focuses specifically on abuse in intimate relationships.

How people end up in PAR

PAR can come up at different stages of a case:

• Early intervention: You plead guilty, complete PAR and then return for sentencing.
• Peace bond: In some cases, the Crown withdraws the charge in exchange for a peace bond that includes PAR. In domestic cases, this needs approval from the Crown Attorney or a designate and is for exceptional cases.
• Probation: PAR can be a condition of probation after a finding of guilt.

Early intervention requires a guilty plea

This is the part people often miss. Under Ontario's Crown Prosecution Manual (D. 23), early intervention is only possible if all of the following apply:

• You plead guilty or agree to a peace bond.
• You have no violence-related convictions.
• No serious injury or harm was caused.
• No weapon was used.
• The complainant has been consulted.

A guilty plea is a finding of guilt. The sentence then decides whether you end up with a conviction. Completing PAR is a strong point when asking for a discharge, which is not a conviction, but the judge makes the final decision.

For example, someone who wants to keep their record clean for work may see early intervention as the safest path. Someone with a strong defence may be better off going to trial. Get advice on the evidence before you decide.

What happens during the program

1. Plea or agreement: You enter a guilty plea or agree to a peace bond, and the case is adjourned.
2. Intake: The program contacts you to arrange an intake meeting and a start date.
3. Attendance: You attend the weekly sessions and complete any assigned work.
4. Completion report: The program provides a report confirming whether you completed it.
5. Return to court: Your lawyer presents the report and asks for the agreed outcome, often a discharge.

Missing sessions or failing to participate can lead to the program ending early, which can seriously affect your sentence.

PAR and your bail conditions

Completing PAR does not end your no-contact conditions on its own. They stay in place until a court changes them, often with the Crown's agreement. Some people ask for a change after making progress in the program. See domestic assault bail and no-contact conditions.

PAR and the 2026 intimate partner offence

Since July 17, 2026, violence against an intimate partner can be charged under s. 263.1, with higher maximums. This matters for PAR. If the charge reaches a maximum of 14 years, a discharge is not available, so completing PAR cannot lead to one. Check the exact charge before you agree to early intervention. See violence against an intimate partner.

Immigration and PAR

Because early intervention usually involves a guilty plea, it can carry immigration risks for anyone who is not a Canadian citizen, even if the case ends in a discharge. Get immigration advice before entering any plea, and make sure your criminal lawyer knows your status from the start.

Questions to ask before choosing PAR

• What does the disclosure show, and is there a defence worth taking to trial?
• Will the Crown support a discharge if I complete PAR?
• Is a discharge legally available on this charge?
• How will this affect my immigration status, work or travel?
• How will it fit with my conditions and family court matters?

What the complainant is told

PAR programs usually contact the complainant to offer information, support and safety planning while you are in the program. Staff may tell the complainant whether you are attending, but the program is not a forum for you to communicate with them. Any no-contact condition in your release order continues to apply throughout the program, regardless of what the complainant tells program staff.

If you are not eligible for early intervention

If you have a prior conviction for violence, or the allegation involves serious injury or a weapon, early intervention will usually not be available. In that case, the case proceeds in the ordinary way, with the Crown deciding whether to continue, and PAR may still be ordered later as a condition of probation if you are found guilty. Some people also choose to attend counselling voluntarily while their case is ongoing, which can be helpful at sentencing if there is a finding of guilt.

Effects beyond the outcome

Even when PAR leads to a discharge, the finding of guilt may need to be disclosed in some situations, such as certain immigration applications or professional licensing processes. A discharge is removed from the national police database after 1 or 3 years, but you should understand these effects before deciding to plead guilty.

How we can help

We can review the evidence, tell you whether early intervention makes sense for you and confirm what the Crown will agree to before you plead. Call (647) 223-1980 for a free consultation.

Frequently asked questions