On December 13, 2017, Luke’s Place Legal Director Pamela Cross made a submission to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs about Bill S-202.
Pamela made the submission on behalf of the National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL).
Bill S-202 proposes amendments to Section 16 of the Divorce Act.
DomesticShelters.org is the largest searchable directory of domestic violence services in Canada and the US. This site is full of helpful tools and information for people who are subjected to or are working to end intimate partner abuse.
On December 6, 2017, Luke’s Place was spotlighted for our unique focus on family law issues.
A significant portion of all cases in family court involve family violence. Any changes to court process must examine the needs of these families.
Luke’s Place and the Barbra Schlifer Clinic have a unique perspective on the complex realities of family law and courts for survivors of family violence.
Luke’s Place Legal Director, Pamela Cross, in The Star on identifying the warning signs of lethality in abusive relationships:
Last week, a relative of Dr. Elana Fric-Shamji sat silently in a north Toronto courtroom, watching as Dr. Mohammed Shamji appeared on a charge of first-degree murder. Pinned to her jacket was a purple ribbon to honour victims of domestic violence.
According to a recent Toronto Star investigation, “Law schools fail on domestic violence training, experts say”.
In 2012, Luke’s Place Legal Director, Pamela Cross, was commissioned by the Law Commission of Ontario to develop curriculum on violence against women for Ontario law schools. At that time,
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is investing $600,000 over three years in a partnership with Luke’s Place, a centre devoted solely to improving the safety and experience of abused women and their children as they proceed through the family law process. This investment is to help improve access to justice for women who have experienced domestic violence.
