At Luke’s Place, we provide support to women who have been subjected to intimate partner violence (IPV). Their stories are powerful reminders that abuse is not always visible and that understanding what IPV really looks like is essential to offering meaningful support.
IPV does not always look like bruises or broken bones.
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When you’re preparing for family court, especially in cases involving intimate partner violence, how you gather and present your evidence can have a significant impact on your case. Since family court is an adversarial process, it is important to help the judge understand in a clear, credible, and compelling way.
Where to begin:
Separation can bring big changes, especially for children. As you sort out parenting arrangements, it’s essential to think about how to keep your kids safe, supported, and prepared. This checklist offers simple and practical ways to help your child feel more secure and know what to do in situations that might feel confusing or unsafe.
Navigating family court can be an overwhelming experience. Understanding and practicing courtroom etiquette can help ease some pressure and help ensure your day proceeds as smoothly as possible. Here are some key tips to help you feel prepared:
Dress appropriately: While you don’t need to wear expensive clothes, avoid looking too casual or overdressed.
Violence does not always end when the relationship ends, especially when children are involved. If you share children with your ex-partner, establishing a new co-parenting dynamic is necessary. However, ensuring this relationship prioritizes your safety is crucial, and that can present significant challenges.
Here are some tips, from our toolkit, The Law and Parenting Arrangements after Separation to help you navigate co-parenting after leaving intimate partner violence while keeping your well-being and safety at the forefront:
Family courts use what is called the Best Interests of the Child (BIC) Test to make decisions about parenting arrangements after separation or divorce. The BIC test helps courts prioritize the needs, safety, and well-being of children, to ensure parenting decisions serve the child’s best interest, both now and in the future.
Understanding family law can feel overwhelming, especially when navigating a case. To help, we have compiled 10 key terms that are essential to know in family court. These terms will provide clarity and empower you as you move through the process.
Application
A proceeding in family court begins when one person brings an application,
For women experiencing intimate partner violence, an Emergency Motion can be a critical step toward ensuring their safety and the safety of their children. However, navigating the Family Court process, especially during a time of crisis, can be overwhelming, with many women feeling unprepared to take this step.
At Luke’s Place,
For women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV), safety can feel out of reach. Having a safety plan is essential for women staying in relationships in which they are being abused, as they are leaving and after they have left. Creating a safety plan is a proactive step toward ensuring both physical and emotional security,
The Luke’s Place Legal Clinic provides free, confidential services to support women across Ontario in navigating family law. Our clinic connects women with experienced family law lawyers who provide summary legal advice.
Who can Access the Clinic?
Our services are available to self-identified women who are currently experiencing or have previously experienced intimate partner violence (IPV).
