Tighter bail restrictions are not the solution we are looking for

On Monday, October 28th, the provincial government issued a press release urgently calling on the federal government to amend the Criminal Code to tighten bail provisions for public safety and to close what they deem the “revolving door of justice”. Among their calls for change is the complete removal of bail availability in situations where the offender has been charged with various crimes,

Stopping gender-based violence in Canada

Pam Hrick (Executive Director and General Counsel of LEAF), Deepa Mattoo (Executive Director of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic) and Dr. Amanda Dale (International Human Rights Activist, Scholar and Consultant) recently co-authored an incredible opinion piece about stopping gender-based violence (GBV) in Canada that we’d like to share.

In the article,

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Reaffirming our Commitment to Life Long Education and Decolonial Practices

September 30th marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Luke’s Place operates on the land of the Mississauga’s of Scugog Island. As an organization deeply committed to the work of reconciliation and supporting Indigenous sovereignty, we recognize the colonial and detrimental impacts of the court and legal system in which we operate.

Supporting survivors is suicide prevention

September marks Suicide Prevention Month, a critical time to shed light on the often-overlooked connection between mental health, suicide, and intimate partner violence (IPV). The intersection of these issues underscores the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support for survivors of IPV, as well as a broader understanding of the strong link between suicidality and violence in intimate relationships.

It’s time to address intimate partner violence in Ontario

The above are a small sample of recent headlines from the media. While they are only a few examples, they highlight the recent increase in Ontario femicides.

We are deeply concerned by the number of femicides and acts of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women this year. Recent acts of violence include the femicides of:

81-year-old Ulrike Miller

23-year-old Julia Brady

17-year-old Breanna Broadfoot

62-year-old Cheryl Lynn Sheldon

41-year-old Carly Walsh (and her two children Madison,

For immediate release: Community Walk to End Intimate Partner Violence Set for September 21 at Durham Region Headquarters

Durham, Ontario – August 6, 2024 – Bethesda House, The Denise House, Herizon House, YWCA Durham, Safety Network Durham, Luke’s Place, Victim Services of Durham, WMRCC of Durham, and the Region of Durham are proud to announce the upcoming Community Walk to End Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), which will take place on Saturday,

Celebrating Disability Pride Month: Honouring Strength, Diversity and Community

Disability and Violence

July is disability pride month. It is a time to celebrate the disabled community, while actively working to eradicate ableism and accessibility barriers. At Luke’s Place, we also recognize that people with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by all forms of gender-based violence, including intimate partner violence (IPV).

Survivors of IPV with disabilities can often face unique forms of abuse,

Because of you: Two years of calling for action

On the Friday of a long weekend, more than 70 individuals gathered in Barry’s Bay, ON. Together, they recognized the second anniversary of the Culleton, Kuzyk and Warmerdam (CKW) inquest.

About the gathering

We joined Lanark County Interval House and EVA Renfrew County in hosting a community gathering on Friday June 28,

Honouring National Indigenous History Month and 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride Month

June is National Indigenous History Month and 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride Month. This month highlights the ongoing fight for liberation among First Nation, Inuit, and Metis communities and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

While these are sometimes viewed as separate fights for liberation, we recognize the ways in which our liberation is connected,