Home      Login

Abstract: 

Canada has enacted sweeping criminal justice reforms designed to intervene earlier in intimate partner and gender-based violence while strengthening protections for survivors. The 2026 Protecting Victims Act creates a criminal offense of coercive control, strengthens penalties for intimate partner murder and sexual offenses, expands criminal harassment provisions, and addresses threats involving non-consensual intimate images and sexual deepfakes. It also enhances victims’ procedural rights and access to courtroom supports. Together with Bailey’s Law and new federal funding for victim services and legal assistance, the reforms significantly expand Canada’s response to intimate partner violence. This article examines these measures and their potential to identify escalating abuse earlier, improve survivor participation in the justice system, and prevent lethal violence.

Keywords: Coercive Control; Intimate Partner Violence; Protecting Victims Act; Gender-Based Violence; Victims’ Rights; Canada

Affiliations:  1: Editor.