This International Women’s Day ensure that women’s expert voices are centred in COVID-19 recovery plans

Op-Ed in The Toronto Star by Farrah Khan and Pamela Cross

This International Women’s Day we can expect to hear the usual platitudes from government, business and institutions about women’s empowerment and how far we have come. What we deserve to hear are concrete commitments to address the gender-based impacts of the pandemic.

Government of Canada Commits to National Action Plan (NAP) on Gender Based Violence (GBV)

Luke’s Place co-chairs working group for National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence

Chatelaine article: Why divorce cases involving allegations of abuse still confound family courts

Journalist Flannery Dean recently interviewed Luke’s Place Legal Director, Pamela Cross, and other experts for the article Why Divorce Cases Involving Allegations of Abuse Still Confound Family Courts available online and in the January 2021 issue of Chatelaine magazine. The article centres on the tragic outcomes of two mothers who fled domestic violence and highlights common threads regarding the challenges women face with family law system.

Bill 207: An important step forward for women fleeing abuse

There is much that is good in Bill 207, the Moving Ontario Family Law Forward Act, for women leaving abusive relationships.

Toronto Star article: ‘We haven’t come very far’ – YWCA Toronto and women’s shelters call on government to address root causes of Polytechnique massacre anniversary

Luke’s Place Legal Director, Pamela Cross, was interviewed for a Toronto Star article on the anniversary of the Polytechnique massacre. The article reflects on the massacre and highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and their safety.

“There were a whole lot of factors that combined when the pandemic first hit that put women still living with their abuser in a very vulnerable position,” said Pamela Cross,

Ontario’s family law takes a step forward in protecting the vulnerable: Toronto Star op-ed

Luke’s Place Legal Director, Pamela Cross, published an opinion piece in The Toronto Star about the passing of Bill 207: An Act to amend the Children’s Law Reform Act, the Courts of Justice Act, the Family Law Act and other Acts respecting various family law matters.

Last week’s passage of Bill 207,

International Day of the Elimination of Violence Against Women: How you can help

Today the world is coming together in recognition of International Day of the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Today we are asking you to join us in showing your support by sharing our posts on your social media and by making a meaningful donation. 
Text COURAGE to give. Donations that come through text message will be distributed equally to participating women’s shelters,

New custody and access legislation increases safety for women and children fleeing abuse

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bill 207, the Moving Ontario Family Law Forward Act, received Royal Assent on November 20th.

Likely to come into effect in conjunction with the revised Divorce Act on March 31, 2021, these changes to how courts will make parenting arrangement decisions offer new hope for women with children who are fleeing abuse.

Tips for working with women during the pandemic

1) Everyone is stressed

Remember everyone is more stressed than usual: your client, her children, her extended family, even her lawyer (if she has one).

Don’t forget to include yourself on the list of people who are more stressed than usual. You may be working from home, without ready access to your colleagues or files.