Ottawa Phoenix House

06/18/2026

Those who remain friends with known abusers are openly stating they are accepting of the behavior. "Not choosing a side" IS choosing a side. Period.

06/05/2026

It's time to speak up

05/17/2026

On Friday, the Supreme Court of Canada made a landmark decision that could help survivors of intimate partner violence access greater justice and recognition under the law.

In Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia, the Court recognized a new tort (civil wrong) of intimate partner violence.

The decision acknowledges that intimate partner violence is often rooted in coercive control and disproportionately harms women.

In simple terms, survivors now have a new legal avenue to seek compensation in civil court for harms caused by coercive control and ongoing abuse in relationships. Coercive control refers to patterns of behaviour used to dominate, isolate, intimidate or control another person over time.

The Court recognized that abuse is not always physical. It can include:

- intimidation
- isolation
- surveillance
- humiliation
- manipulation
- financial control
- sexual coercion
- patterns of ongoing domination and fear

This matters because many survivors live through abuse that may not leave visible injuries, but still causes deep and lasting harm.

This is an important step forward in recognizing the realities many survivors have long experienced and spoken about.

05/02/2026