Posts Tagged ‘intimate partner violence’
Our recent submission to Legal Aid Ontario
In December, Luke’s Place participated in Legal Aid Ontario’s (LAO) open consultation process on their proposal is to increase the financial eligibility criteria for all duty counsel and criminal certificate services. While we strongly support an increase to the financial eligibility criteria, we implored LAO to extend this financial eligibility increase to their family law…
Read moreThe Importance of a Safety Plan
For women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV), safety can feel out of reach. Having a safety plan is essential for women staying in relationships in which they are being abused, as they are leaving and after they have left. Creating a safety plan is a proactive step toward ensuring both physical and emotional security, as…
Read moreInside Luke’s Place 12th Annual FCSW Gathering
Luke’s Place held its 12th Annual Family Court Support Worker (FCSW) Gathering this past November. Over two impactful days, 54 FCSWs from across Ontario, representing 35 organizations, came together to connect and learn. Since 2011, Luke’s Place has led training for Ontario’s FCSWs, funded originally by the Ministry of the Attorney General and now by…
Read moreLuke’s Place will be intervening at the Supreme Court of Canada in the case of Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia
The recognition of the new tort of family violence in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia was a groundbreaking advancement in the law. It provided survivors with a civil law remedy that speaks to their experiences and financially compensates them for the harm they endured. The issue of whether there should be a common law tort of family…
Read moreLuke’s Place Legal Clinic: Providing support for women navigating family law
The Luke’s Place Legal Clinic provides free, confidential services to support women across Ontario in navigating family law. Our clinic connects women with experienced family law lawyers who provide summary legal advice. Who can Access the Clinic? Our services are available to self-identified women who are currently experiencing or have previously experienced intimate partner violence…
Read moreBe the change before the year ends – donate by midnight!
As the year comes to a close, there’s still time to help women and children across Ontario access the support they need to find safety, justice, and empowerment after leaving abuse. Your donation today, December 31, can help ensure that in 2025: Together, we can make a difference. Every donation counts! Thanks to YOU, countless…
Read moreNew Case Comment: Choice of School – Catchment Area
This case comment was prepared by Emily Ernst (law student volunteer) and Rachel Parry (Staff Lawyer). This case involved a dispute between parents over which school their child, aged 4, should attend, with both parents wanting the child to attend the public school in their local catchment area. The parents had already agreed to joint…
Read moreCriminalization of coercive control: shifting the focus to system change before implementation
Last week, Luke’s Place submitted a Brief to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on Bill C-332, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (coercive control of intimate partner). This Brief reflects our decades of experience supporting survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and navigating the intersections of the family law and…
Read moreThere’s still time to make a big difference in the lives of women and children this year!
Thanks to YOU… Ontario women were able to access the support they needed for their family law issues and receive important information about ongoing changes to court operations over the last year. This means that more women had a better understanding of their legal rights, the family court process, and their legal issues. Women were more empowered to speak in…
Read moreEmotional safety: Boundaries for the holidays
The holiday season is a busy time of year. You may find yourself in more situations that put you in contact with your former partner. It can be helpful to plan for these situations in advance by thinking about setting boundaries. Below are strategies for creating an emotional safety plan by setting healthy boundaries with…
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