Current events
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 3rd marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Today is a day to reflect, affirm, and act on the rights, dignity, and inclusion of people with disabilities. At Luke’s Place, we recognize that many people with disabilities subjected to intimate partner violence (IPV), are intertwined and often connected to systems of oppression, isolation, and barriers to accessible supports and services. Barriers…
Read moreAmplifying Impact This Giving Tuesday: Support Our 16 Days of Activism Campaign
As the year draws to a close, communities around the world are coming together for Giving Tuesday, a global movement dedicated to generosity and positive change. This year, we invite you to join us in making a tangible difference through our 16 Days of Activism campaign, focused on ending intimate partner violence and empowering survivors. Intimate Partner Violence is an…
Read moreInternational Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW) is observed every November 25th. This day is dedicated to raising awareness and taking action to end all forms of violence against women and girls worldwide. It also marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a campaign that aims to raise awareness and mobilize action to…
Read moreReflecting on Luke’s Place 13th Annual FCSW Gathering
November 4–5, 2025 In early November, Luke’s Place proudly hosted its 13th Annual Family Court Support Worker (FCSW) Gathering, a two-day, in-person training event that brought together more than 60 FCSWs from 38 organizations across the province. This year, the Gathering introduced interactive workshops, presentations, and panel discussions, designed to equip FCSWs with practical tools and innovative…
Read moreSilence Broken: Family Court Support Workers aid victims of IPV at the highest level
At the 13th Annual Gathering, Luke’s Place Legal Director Emily Murray sat down with Erin Lee, Executive Director of Lanark County, to discuss the vital role of Family Court Support Workers (FCSWs) in supporting survivors of gender-based violence as they navigate the complex family court process. Their conversation shed light on how these workers provide…
Read moreSecond Annual Community Walk to End IPV: A Call to End the Epidemic of Intimate Partner Violence
Together, we walked and continued to stand against intimate partner violence (IPV). On November 1, 2025, over 400 community members came together for the Second Annual Community Walk to End Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), and what an inspiring morning it was. From the moment participants began gathering at Durham Region Headquarters, the energy was undeniable.…
Read moreInsights from Pamela Cross: Learning from the DVDRC Report
In her recent blog post Learning from Those Who Have Died, Pamela Cross, legal expert, feminist, member of Ontario’s Domestic Violence Death Review Committee, and former Legal and Advocacy Director for Luke’s Place, reflects on the 2022–2023 Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) report, which analyzed 28 cases involving 43 deaths related to intimate partner…
Read moreWoman Abuse Prevention Month
Every November, Ontario recognizes Woman Abuse Prevention Month, a time to reflect, raise awareness, and take action to end gender-based violence (GBV). At Luke’s Place, we stand with survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) every day, women navigating not only the trauma of abuse but also the ongoing challenges of the family court system. This…
Read moreStanding Together: What the new Federal funding to advance equality and build safer, more inclusive communities means for Luke’s Place
On October 29, 2025, the Government of Canada announced a landmark investment of $660.5 million over five years to advance equality and build safer, more inclusive communities across the country. The announcement was made by The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State, alongside The Honourable Francoise-Philippe Champagne. During…
Read morePersons Day in Canada
This weekend on October 18th we recognize Persons Day in Canada, a day commemorating a historic milestone in women’s legal rights. On this day in 1929, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (Canada’s highest court of appeal at the time) ruled that women were to be included in the legal definition of “persons.” This…
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