Introduction
This resource provides an overview of the legal framework governing intimate partner violence (IPV) in Canada.
It includes a quick guide to IPV and family violence provisions in provincial and territorial legislation relating to:
- parenting
- possession of the family home
- protection orders
- child protection.
This resource also reviews how IPV is addressed in federal legislation including:
- the Divorce Act
- the Criminal Code
The final section includes summaries of key decisions released since the 2021 Divorce Act amendments that meaningfully address intimate partner violence, family violence, or the intersection between family and criminal law systems.
Acknowledgements
The following judges have assisted the NJI with developing this overview:
- Judge Elizabeth Buckle, Provincial Court of Nova Scotia
- Justice Cidalia Faria, Ontario Court of Justice
- Justice Theresa Forgeron, Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (Family Division)
We acknowledge the financial support of the Department of Justice Canada.
Updates
The content of this course was last updated in July 2024.
