National Social Work Month

March marks National Social Work Month, a time to recognize the dedication, compassion, and expertise of social workers everywhere. At Luke’s Place, we are incredibly fortunate to work alongside talented and committed social workers who support women and children navigating the family court system after experiencing intimate partner violence. 

Their work is complex, emotionally demanding,

Human Trafficking Awareness Day: Understanding the Link Between Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Human Trafficking

Every year on February 22nd, Canada marks National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, a moment for communities to reflect on the systemic harms of trafficking and how it connects to other forms of gender-based violence, including IPV. 

Human trafficking remains a serious concern in Ontario. Two-thirds of police-reported human trafficking cases in Canada occur in Ontario,

World Day of Social Justice

Today, February 20, 2026, we observe World Day of Social Justice, an international day dedicated to advancing equity, human rights, and systemic transformation. Social justice means ensuring that everyone has access to safety, dignity, and opportunity. We recognize this means that intimate partner violence (IPV) is not treated as a private matter, 

Criminalization of coercive control may be a reality in Canada

In December 2025, the federal government introduced Bill C-16: Protecting Victims Act, which proposes significant changes to various laws, including the Criminal Code. The stated purpose of this Bill is “to better protect survivors of gender-based violence, sexual violence and intimate partner violence and keep kids safe from predators.” 

A key component of Bill C-16 is the criminalization of 

Love Shouldn’t Hurt: Navigating Valentine’s Day and IPV

Valentine’s Day is said to be a day of love, but for those impacted by intimate partner violence (IPV), Valentine’s Day can be difficult and even dangerous.   

Heightened expectations, financial pressure, increased contact with abusive partners, or attempts to control under the guise of “romance” can all increase risk. For survivors, Valentine’s Day can bring fear,

Safer Internet Day: Tech Safety is Survivor Safety 

Technology plays a huge role in our daily lives, and for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), it can be used to cause serious harm. Technology-facilitated gender-based violence can involve using digital tools to monitor, harass, threaten, or control someone. This can involve tracking, accessing accounts without consent, impersonation,

Black History Month

February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements of Black individuals and communities and to reflect on their ongoing fight for justice and equality. 

At Luke’s Place, we are solely devoted to improving the safety and experience of women and their children as they navigate the family law system after being subjected to intimate partner violence (IPV). Luke’s Place recognizes the intersections with Black History Month and the need to center the lived experiences of Black women while highlighting the specific,

Statement from Luke’s Place on Sudine Riley

We are extremely appalled by the very serious reports of assault on a racialized female lawyer at the Oshawa courthouse earlier this week. As an organization that works regularly at this courthouse, we are incredibly concerned with the systemic racism and violence impacting our community and communities across Ontario.  

Sudine Riley was catching up on her legal work at the courthouse when she was assaulted by police officers and forcibly taken to a holding cell in the basement.

Ontario’s Winter 2026 Pre-Budget Consultation 

Family court processes are complex, adversarial, and frequently inaccessible for survivors of IPV, especially those experiencing economic insecurity, trauma, or ongoing safety concerns. Without stable supports and meaningful access to legal representation, survivors are placed at heightened risk of continued violence, coercive control, and unjust outcomes that undermine both safety and child well-being. Demand for specialized family law and court-based supports continues to grow across Ontario,