Coercive Control Bill Moves to Committee

The evening of February 7, 2024, Bill C-332, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (controlling or coercive conduct), was read the second time in the House of Commons and referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. This parliamentary committee will study the law in depth, and may recommend changes. Typically, the committee will […]

Coercive Control Bill in 2024

On February 7, 2024, Bill C-332, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (controlling or coercive conduct), is projected to continue its second reading in Canada’s House of Commons.  The Bill was introduced in November 2023 by its sponsor, MP Laurel Collins (NDP, Victoria), who shared a personal and moving speech in support of the legislation: “The […]

Coercive Control Bill to Have Second Reading

Advocate for Bill C-332 and help expand protections for people in abusive relationships It’s a type of abuse experienced in most violent relationships and is a common precursor to domestic homicide. And it’s often completely legal. Coercive control is a pattern of behaviour used to regulate and dominate another person’s daily life and remove their […]

Justice Minister Aligned on Coercive Control

Justice Minister: Offence Targeting Coercive Control Aligned with Government Efforts  On August 14, the Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, reaffirmed his government’s support for amending our Criminal Code to protect the many Canadians impacted by coercive control.  Minister Virani’s remarks were captured in a letter to David Cameron, Regional […]

Next Step in Criminalizing Coercive Control

Private member’s bill to expand protections for people in abusive relationships Keep informed on Bill C-332 On May 18, 2023, NDP MP Laurel Collins (Victoria) introduced a private member’s bill to provide more legal protection for individuals experiencing coercive control. Read the announcement here. “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home,” said Collins in […]

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 […]

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 […]