Intimate partner violence and family court

Luke’s Place, in partnership with the Region of Durham, has created a three-part webinar series and a new community resource toolkit.

Navigating family court can be challenging, especially for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). This webinar provides a clear and practical overview of how the family court system works, what to expect,

What is intimate partner violence

Luke’s Place, in partnership with the Region of Durham, has created a three-part webinar series and a new community resource toolkit.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) can be complex and challenging to recognize. This webinar provides a clear overview of what IPV is, how to identify its signs, and practical ways to support someone who has been subjected to it.

The Divorce Act or the Children’s Law Reform Act: Which to use?

Recent changes to the provisions dealing with post-separation parenting arrangements in Ontario’s Children’s Law Reform Act (CLRA) bring it into alignment with the federal Divorce Act. Women may wonder whether one piece of legislation is better for their case than the other.

This is very much a fact-specific decision.

How can I support my clients who have remote court appearances?

If supporting women as they prepare for and attend court is an important part of your job, here are some suggestions to assist you help them prepare for and attend virtual/remote court proceedings.

Ahead of time

Assist your client find out how her court appearance is going to take place. Will it be by telephone or videoconference?

What does the revised Divorce Act say about parenting plans?

The changes to the Divorce Act give parenting plans a more formal role than they have had in the past, so it is worth discussing them with any of your clients who are using the Divorce Act to resolve post-separation parenting issues. Parenting plans can also be a useful tool for parents who need a structure within which they can raise their children post-separation.

What are the rights of grandparents who want access to their grandchildren?

Grandparents in Ontario have some legal rights to go to family court if they want to spend time with their grandchildren.

Women’s experience with CAS

Child protection authorities exist to protect children from abuse and neglect. Also known as CAS, historically, their focus has been on situations in which the abuse or neglect has been directed at children themselves.

Under provincial legislation, the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, child protection authorities have the mandate to intervene when they deem a child to be in need of protection because of physical,

Just how much financial information does a woman have to share when she leaves an abusive partner?

Financial abuse

Many abusive relationships involve an element of financial control or abuse. For example, the abuser may:

Monitor the woman’s spendingControl all the money and give her an allowanceRequire her to justify her spendingInsist that only his name be on bank accounts, investments, credit cards, etc.Not allow the woman to have a debit cardMake all the financial decisions for the familyOwn all the property

Full financial disclosure

Upon separation,

It doesn’t end when she leaves: Post-separation abuse

Why doesn’t she leave?

Many people, including judges and lawyers, believe that when a woman leaves an abusive partner, he will stop abusing her. Sadly, this is rarely the case.

Women with abusive partners realize this. Knowing the abuser will continue the violence often prevents them from leaving. Staying with him means a woman knows how to manage the violence;