Each May, Canada marks Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, a time to recognize the women subjected to intimate partner violence and the ongoing impacts of crime. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the systems those women must navigate, and the gaps that continue to put their safety at risk.
Read more
Each year, Mental Health Awareness (May 4-10) invites us to pause and reflect on how we care for ourselves and one another. For those working on the frontlines of intimate partner violence (IPV), this week carries a deeper weight.
At Luke’s Place we see every day how the family law system intersects with trauma.
May is recognized as Sexual Violence Prevention Month in Ontario and across Canada. This is an important time to raise awareness about the prevalence of sexual violence and to strengthen efforts to support survivors and prevent harm.
Sexual violence is deeply gendered. Women, girls, and gender-diverse people are far more likely to experience sexual violence than men.
In April, the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards recognized nearly 5,000 exceptional individuals across the province, people whose generosity, compassion, and dedication strengthen communities every day.
At Luke’s Place, we are proud to celebrate four remarkable volunteers who were honoured this year for their outstanding contributions to supporting women navigating the family law system.
National Volunteer week, taking place April 19-25, is a time to recognize and celebrate the people who strengthen our communities through their time, skills, and compassion.
This year’s theme, “Ignite Volunteerism” highlights the power of individual and collective action, and the ways volunteers spark meaningful change in the communities around them.
Between 2024 and 2026, Luke’s Place traveled to communities across Ontario to deliver our flagship training program, After She Leaves. This two-day training supports frontline workers who assist survivors of intimate partner violence navigating the family law system.
Over the past two years, we have delivered training to 231 frontline workers across Guelph, Parry Sound, Toronto, Kingston, London, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay,
Women face many barriers, challenges, and forms of violence in relationships with abusive partners, during and after leaving, and while navigating family court. Trans women experience higher rates of violence than cisgender women, with Black and Indigenous transgender women facing some of the highest levels of harm.
The following statistics come from national survey research on intimate partner violence experienced by transgender people in Canada.
On March 30, 2023, the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission released its landmark final report, Turning the Tide Together, offering a wide-ranging and deeply grounded blueprint for how Canada could better prevent and respond to violence in all its forms, especially gender-based, intimate partner, and family violence.
Access to justice remains one of the most significant challenges facing women leaving abusive partners. Survivors navigating the family court system without legal representation often face overwhelming barriers, from safety risks to complex procedures that are difficult to manage alone.
Recognizing these challenges, organizations across Canada have been exploring new approaches to legal support that are more responsive to the needs of survivors of gender-based violence.
This coming Saturday, March 24th, marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. At Luke’s Place, we know that systems of violence don’t operate alone, and racial discrimination is a prevalent part of family court, and the abuse survivors may face from intimate partners.
Indigenous, Black, and racialized women in Canada continue to experience higher rates of violence,
