What is intimate partner violence?
Trying to understand if what you’ve faced in your relationship was abuse? This webpage includes a lengthy list of abuse tactics.
Resources from Luke’s Place
Luke’s Place offers a range of resources on the intersection of family law and violence against women.
For women | For service providers| For community and family
For women
What does family law have to do with violence against women?
Making decisions at the end of an abusive relationship is challenging and often dangerous. It’s at this high-risk time that many people become involved with family court.
The law and parenting arrangements after separation: A toolkit for women
Legal information about arrangements for children after leaving an abusive partner. Available in English and French. Versions for both women in Ontario and women anywhere in Canada.
Family court and beyond
Safety plans, legal information and strategies on how to survive family court packaged as a workbook, an organizer and a website.
Tech safety toolkit
Information about tech abuse and keeping safe on smartphones and the web, as well as family law strategies to prevent and manage abusive online behaviour by an ex-partner.
Family court operations guide
A detailed resource for anyone navigating Ontario’s evolving family court system. It covers serving and filing documents, virtual court appearances, where to get support and more. Last update: January 2024.
For service providers
Hosting Gender-Based Violence Trainings: A Train the Trainer Guide
Designed to help organizations, community leaders and facilitators, host educational sessions on gender-based violence using a trauma-informed approach.
After she leaves manual
Designed for women’s service providers, this manual covers gender-based violence in the family, the family law process, parenting arrangements and how to effectively advocate.
Emergency motions toolkit
Detailed information for advocates assisting women who need emergency motions for different family law situations.
CKW advocacy inquest toolkit
Developed to assist organizations that do not have the time or resources to develop their own advocacy strategy and tools.
Luke’s Place library and feminist archives
For family law lawyers and women served by Luke’s Place, the collection focuses on family violence, family law, family court process, and mental health and wellness. Visit the library catalogue (external link).
Family law webinars
Our recorded webinars cover issues such as emergency motions, relocating with children, the best interests of the child test, restraining orders and many more issues.
Going the distance
A publication for service providers, policy makers and others on supporting rural and remote abuse survivors with their family law issues. Download Going the distance (PDF).
Legal service model toolkit
Designed for women’s organizations wishing to build their capacity to provide legal support, this package contains Luke’s Place procedures and policies as well as our workshops for women. Available in 2026.
Understanding intersectionality
This workbook is designed to support women’s services to reflect on social location, power, privilege, and oppression.
The Luke’s Place blog
Watch our weekly blog posts for legal news and family court strategies for women and their allies. We have specific sections on case law, current events and frequently asked questions about family law and more.
The impact of third parties on solicitor-client privilege
This paper takes the position that the presence of professional advocates does not destroy this privilege and, in fact, enhances the lawyer-client relationship.
For community and family
Community Webinar Series and Toolkit
A three-part webinar series and a community resource toolkit for friends, family, and neighbours who want to help someone subjected to intimate partner violence (IPV).
Supporting after separation: Legal information and resources for a survivor’s friends and family members
If you are a family member or a friend of a woman with children who is leaving a relationship in which you have been subjected to abuse, this toolkit is for you.