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
Read more
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,
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,
The Luke’s Place Legal Clinic provides free, confidential support to help women subjected to intimate partner violence (IPV) across Ontario navigate family law. Through the clinic, women connect with experienced family law lawyers who provide summary legal advice, guidance, and support.
History of the Virtual Legal Clinic
Luke’s Place launched a free in-person legal clinic in 2009,
January is Stalking Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about a form of abuse that is often hidden, minimized, or misunderstood. Stalking is about control, fear, and ongoing harm. In today’s world, technology has made stalking easier to carry out and harder to escape.
What is Stalking?
Stalking is a pattern of repeated,
The holiday season is often described as a time of joy, connection, and family. But for many survivors subjected to intimate partner violence (IPV), navigating the family law system can also be a time of increased stress, isolation, and risk.
The holidays often place heavy emphasis on family and togetherness. However, for survivors, this can mean:
As the year wraps up, many Violence Against Women (VAW) and community organizations use this time to review their practices, plan upcoming training, and refresh the resources they rely on to support survivors. It’s an ideal moment to explore tools that strengthen safety planning and improve outcomes for women navigating family court.
Technology is part of our daily lives, and it changes fast. These changes can help people stay safe, but they can also be used to cause harm. New apps, devices, and websites can give survivors more control, but they also bring risks like spying, pretending to be someone else, harassment, and breaking into accounts.
Navigating parenting time after court can be challenging, especially when dealing with a former partner who may use contact with the children as a form of control. Even with a court order in place, the day-to-day reality can be stressful and emotionally exhausting.
Here are a few tips to help manage contact more safely and confidently:
Supporting a loved one who has left a relationship in which they have been subjected to abuse can be challenging. You may not always know what to say, how to help, or where to turn for accurate legal information.
That is why Luke’s Place created the Supporting After Separation Toolkit: a free resource designed for friends,
