Current events
Limited Scope Legal Services WAGE Promising Practices
Access to justice remains one of the most significant challenges facing women leaving abusive partners. Survivors navigating the family court system without legal representation often face overwhelming barriers, from safety risks to complex procedures that are difficult to manage alone. Recognizing these challenges, organizations across Canada have been exploring new approaches to legal support that are more responsive to…
Read moreInternational Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
This coming Saturday, March 24th, marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. At Luke’s Place, we know that systems of violence don’t operate alone, and racial discrimination is a prevalent part of family court, and the abuse survivors may face from intimate partners. Indigenous, Black, and racialized women in Canada continue to…
Read moreWellness that Gives Back: Support Luke’s Place this Spring!
This spring, The R.E.S.T. Centre. is hosting a special third-party fundraiser in support of Luke’s Place. From March 8th to May 8th, The R.E.S.T. Centre in Whitby is donating 50% of all gift card proceeds purchased using a special code to support the women and children we support. Through this initiative, we have the opportunity to raise up to $33,000 to help provide legal support, advocacy, and safety planning…
Read moreInternational Women’s Day – Love Shouldn’t Hurt – End IPV Today!
International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8th, is a global day recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while advocating for gender equality. International Women’s Day is also a time to uplift organizations working on the front lines to advance women’s rights and safety. True equality cannot be achieved while women continue to experience violence…
Read moreNational Social Work Month
March marks National Social Work Month, a time to recognize the dedication, compassion, and expertise of social workers everywhere. At Luke’s Place, we are incredibly fortunate to work alongside talented and committed social workers who support women and children navigating the family court system after experiencing intimate partner violence. Their work is complex, emotionally demanding, and deeply impactful.…
Read moreHuman Trafficking Awareness Day: Understanding the Link Between Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Human Trafficking
Every year on February 22nd, Canada marks National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, a moment for communities to reflect on the systemic harms of trafficking and how it connects to other forms of gender-based violence, including IPV. Human trafficking remains a serious concern in Ontario. Two-thirds of police-reported human trafficking cases in Canada occur in Ontario, and 62% of Canadian human trafficking cases originate…
Read moreWorld Day of Social Justice
Today, February 20, 2026, we observe World Day of Social Justice, an international day dedicated to advancing equity, human rights, and systemic transformation. Social justice means ensuring that everyone has access to safety, dignity, and opportunity. We recognize this means that intimate partner violence (IPV) is not treated as a private matter, but as a serious social justice crisis that impacts individuals, families, and communities. …
Read moreCriminalization of coercive control may be a reality in Canada
In December 2025, the federal government introduced Bill C-16: Protecting Victims Act, which proposes significant changes to various laws, including the Criminal Code. The stated purpose of this Bill is “to better protect survivors of gender-based violence, sexual violence and intimate partner violence and keep kids safe from predators.” A key component of Bill C-16 is the criminalization of coercive control. What is coercive control? …
Read moreLove Shouldn’t Hurt: Navigating Valentine’s Day and IPV
Valentine’s Day is said to be a day of love, but for those impacted by intimate partner violence (IPV), Valentine’s Day can be difficult and even dangerous. Heightened expectations, financial pressure, increased contact with abusive partners, or attempts to control under the guise of “romance” can all increase risk. For survivors, Valentine’s Day can bring fear, confusion, or painful reminders. At Luke’s Place, we want to be…
Read moreSafer Internet Day: Tech Safety is Survivor Safety
Technology plays a huge role in our daily lives, and for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), it can be used to cause serious harm. Technology-facilitated gender-based violence can involve using digital tools to monitor, harass, threaten, or control someone. This can involve tracking, accessing accounts without consent, impersonation, or ongoing digital harassment. As technology changes, so do the ways…
Read more