COVID-19 measures may leave abused women ‘trapped’ at home

The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures put in place to protect the public have left women in abusive relationships in a tough spot, say representatives from a Durham organization that provides family court support to abused women.

Journalist Reka Szekely interviewed Luke’s Place on the impact of COVID-19 on women living with violence.

Donate today to support women fleeing violence during COVID-19

Your donation helps us to support women with urgent family law issues during the COVID-19 crisis.
Some women are trying to escape abusive relationships at this time of social isolation. Others are dealing with abusive ex-partners who refuse to return children from access visits or who will not pay support just as a woman is laid off.

Star article: Abused women stay home amid COVID-19

Toronto Star reporter, Jim Rankin, interviewed Luke’s Place and other women’s services on the impact of social distancing and self-isolation during the COVID-19 crisis.

Nearing the end of March Break, a woman gets a call from her ex. He says he’s going to keep the kids past his regularly scheduled access,

Help us help women and children: Give the gift of family court support for survivors

As the holiday season approaches, many of us are making plans to spend time with family and friends we love and who love us. It can be a wonderful time of year, when we take the time from our usual hectic pace to truly enjoy all that we have.
However, for a woman who,

“Recognition such as this is powerful and revitalizing”: Guthrie speech by Luke’s Place ED Carol Barkwell

Executive Director, Carol Barkwell, introduced Pamela Cross, our Legal Director, before Pam received the Guthrie Award from the Law Foundation of Ontario on October 17.

It is a tremendous honour to celebrate Pamela Cross today. I can think of no other person who has done more for women’s access to justice in Ontario.

Guthrie Award acceptance speech by Pamela Cross

On Thursday October 17, Pamela Cross, our Legal Director, was honoured with the Guthrie Award by the Law Foundation of Ontario. Her acceptance speech follows.
Her speech was also vidoe-taped. Watch it on YouTube.
I am deeply honoured to be receiving this award tonight.

Legal Director Pamela Cross receives Guthrie Award from The Law Foundation of Ontario

Today The Law Foundation of Ontario announced that Pamela Cross, the Luke’s Place Legal Director, is their 2019 Guthrie Award recipient! Congratulations, Pam!
The Guthrie Award celebrates “exceptional access to justice champions”. Pamela is recognized for her “tremendous contributions to Canadian women’s legal rights”.
From the Foundation’s news release:

“Pamela’s work is changing the way the legal system approaches violence against women,” said Linda Rothstein,

The Law Foundation of Ontario spotlights our Virtual Legal Clinic

Our Virtual Legal Clinic connects women in rural and remote communities to lawyers for free family law advice. Survivors of abuse learn how to complete court forms, what to expect during the family court process and strategies that would be effective for their individual cases.
The Law Foundation of Ontario profiles the Clinic on their website,

French versions of Family Court and Beyond Workbook and Organizer

Thanks to Action ontarienne contre la violence faite aux femmes the Luke’s Place Family Court and Beyond Survival Workbook and Organizer are now available in French!
Family Court and Beyond is a collection of family law information and strategies for women who are involved in family court and are or have been subjected to abuse in the relationship.