This significant update to Canada’s Criminal Code, enacted through the Protecting Victims Act (Bill C-16), introduces consequential reforms to better safeguard victims and survivors of intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, and sexual violence. The legislation now explicitly defines femicide as first-degree murder, establishes a new offense for coercive control within intimate relationships, and criminalizes threats to distribute non-consensual intimate images, including deepfakes. Furthermore, these changes aim to strengthen victims’ rights, provide clearer guidance on managing court delays, and reinforce mandatory minimum penalties for various offenses, reflecting an urgent commitment to confront evolving threats and ensure greater justice and safety.
Read More
Despite overwhelming evidence of abuse, including a suicide note stating “I was murdered,” Ryan Wellings was acquitted of manslaughter in the death of his ex-partner, Kiena Dawes. Wellings was convicted of assault and coercive control, but the family believes justice has not been served and Kiena’s voice has not been fully heard. The case highlights the rarity of manslaughter charges in suicide cases stemming from domestic abuse, despite the significant number of women who die by suicide after experiencing abuse. Kiena’s family and advocates continue to call for increased accountability for abusers in such situations.
Read More
Over ten years, Gisele Pelicot saw multiple doctors while suffering from the effects of being repeatedly drugged and raped by her husband, yet none recognized the signs of coercive control. This failure highlights a systemic lack of training among medical professionals to identify coercive control, particularly in cases involving domestic violence and the use of drugs. The case underscores the insidious nature of coercive control, exemplified by Pelicot’s actions, which included not only the abuse but also financial manipulation. The daughter’s experience further emphasizes the pervasive impact of this abuse, affecting the entire family.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker