For service providers
Holding Space: Mental Health, Frontline Work, and Supporting Survivors During Family Court
Each year, Mental Health Awareness (May 4-10) invites us to pause and reflect on how we care for ourselves and one another. For those working on the frontlines of intimate partner violence (IPV), this week carries a deeper weight. At Luke’s Place we see every day how the family law system intersects with trauma. Survivors…
Read moreSexual Violence Prevention Month
May is recognized as Sexual Violence Prevention Month in Ontario and across Canada. This is an important time to raise awareness about the prevalence of sexual violence and to strengthen efforts to support survivors and prevent harm. Sexual violence is deeply gendered. Women, girls, and gender-diverse people are far more likely to experience sexual violence…
Read moreSurvivors of Intimate Partner Violence and the Ontario Family Law System
Understanding how survivors experience the family law system is essential to improving access to safety and justice. Over the past three years, Luke’s Place has partnered with Dr. Mavis Morton from the University of Guelph to conduct a province-wide research project exploring the family law experiences of women and gender-diverse survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) with…
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 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 moreJanuary is Stalking Awareness Month: Understanding Stalking in the Digital Age
January is Stalking Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about a form of abuse that is often hidden, minimized, or misunderstood. Stalking is about control, fear, and ongoing harm. In today’s world, technology has made stalking easier to carry out and harder to escape. What is Stalking? Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted behaviour that causes someone to…
Read moreLaunch of the Updated Tech Safety Toolkit
Technology is part of our daily lives, and it changes fast. These changes can help people stay safe, but they can also be used to cause harm. New apps, devices, and websites can give survivors more control, but they also bring risks like spying, pretending to be someone else, harassment, and breaking into accounts. That is why…
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 moreNow Accredited: Parent-Child-Contact Problem (Alienation) Online Course
We’re excited to share that our free e-learning course on the Parent-Child-Contact Problem (Alienation), is now accredited by the Law Society of Ontario. Whether you’re a lawyer, law student, or a service provider supporting survivors through the family court system, this self-paced module offers evidence-based, practical content grounded in legal experience. About the Course Developed…
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