The Invisible Bruise: Recognizing Coercive Control

The Invisible Bruise 3 Videos The Invisible Bruise: Tomas & James 3:30 The Invisible Bruise: Cameron & Kennedy 3:29 The Invisible Bruise: Meryl & Stacey 3:52 When we think of domestic abuse, or see it depicted in movies or shows, what usually comes to mind are harsh words that lead to bruises and broken bones. […]

Canadian Party Leaders: It’s Time to Talk About Domestic Abuse

Domestic and sexual abuse prevention should be centre stage on the campaign trail The COVID-19 pandemic has put domestic and sexual abuse in the headlines, as rates surged as much as 30 percent in our country and around the globe. But while this ‘shadow pandemic’ has added urgency to prevention and intervention efforts, there’s been […]

Sign a Petition on Coercive Control

Alongside the devastating toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, a shadow pandemic is taking place in Canada, with rates of intimate partner violence rising by up to 30 percent. This includes coercive control, a pattern of behaviour used to regulate and dominate another person’s daily life, stripping away their freedom and sense of self. These acts […]

Another Step Closer to the Criminalization of Coercive Control

Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights Tables Recommendations Canada is another step closer to criminalizing coercive control with the tabling of a unanimous report by the tabling of a unanimous report by the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. The Committee and experts agree that the criminalization of coercive control is a critical […]

Informal Supporters & Social Service Support Key to Clare’s Law Success

On April 6, the Calgary Herald published a column by Catherine Ford with commentary on The Disclosure to Protect Against Domestic Violence (Clare’s Law) Act. While we agree with some of the points Ford makes, we would like to provide further context and information on the topic. Read our response from Carrie McManus, our Director […]

Clare’s Law Comes to Alberta

New Legislation Provides Crucial Window of Opportunity to Prevent Violence On March 30, Sagesse’s CEO, Andrea Silverstone, was pleased to take to the stage with representatives of the Government of Alberta, the TsuuT’ina Police Service and a domestic violence survivor to discuss The Disclosure to Protect Against Domestic Violence (Clare’s Law) Act, which will come […]

Connecting with Calgarians in Crisis

Before Sagesse joined Community Connect YYC, an online booking tool empowering Calgarians to find and access support from multiple agencies, Andrea Silverstone, executive director of Sagesse, could personally attest to the immense value it provides. “A friend of mine in the U.S. called me to share the news of the tragic loss of her brother, […]

Help us get Enrico home

When Anna Barbosa left her relationship, she also left her dog, Enrico, with her ex-partner. After she moved out, he decided he no longer wanted the pet, so Anna was looking for a temporary housing solution for the dog until she could move into a new place that allowed Enrico to live with her. In […]

Coercive Control: This Changes Everything

When is exerting control part of the give-and-take of a relationship, and when is it abuse? Is wanting your partner to let you know where they are at all times, or insisting on a strict budget, domestic violence? If it is a pattern of behaviour used to regulate and dominate another person’s daily life, it […]