Statement on the passing of KEIRA’S Law (rechten van de vrouw)

Canadian Center for Women’s EmpowermentSTATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF KEIRA’S LAWOttawa, April 24, 2023. The Canadian Center for Women's Empowerment (CCFWE) is the onlynational non-profit organization dedicated to empowering survivors of all forms of EconomicAbuse (economic control, economic exploitation, and employment sabotage). CCFWE supportsthe recent passing of Bill C-233 by Canadian lawmakers. Bill C-233, otherwise known as“Keira’s Law,” ensures continuing education for judges on matters related to domestic violenceand coercive control.For CCFWE, it is crucial for judicial staff to understand the different patterns of abuse thatperpetrators use to control a victim of domestic violence even after separation when decidingcases involving intimate partner violence.CCFWE concedes there is a lack of awareness about non-physical, and hidden forms ofdomestic violence, such as emotional and Economic Abuse. Often overlooked, these types ofabuse are far too common. The lack of knowledge of coercive control within the judicial systemis dangerous. As the case of little Keira demonstrated, the lack of awareness or trainingjeopardizes the safety of women and children across the country.Economic Abuse is recognized as part of coercive controlling behaviour aimed to gain completecontrol over a victim's finances by impeding the ability of the victim to obtain, use, and maintaineconomic resources. Examples include:● Taking away any income.● Limiting access to and information on household finances.● Interfering with employment.● Accumulating debt on joint bank accounts.Unlike physical forms of abuse, Economic Abuse and coercive control can continue long aftervictims flee abusive relationships as abusers maintain or adapt their tactics post-separation.Survivors can be left with no financial resources, unable to access bank accounts, and highlyindebted.Recent amendments in the federal Divorce Act include Financial Abuse as a form of familyviolence that judges need to consider when assessing a child’s best interest. However, in orderto effectively save and protect women and children in the future, continuous education forjudges on Economic Abuse, coercive control and other forms of domestic violence is essential.The passing of Keira’s law is a crucial first step in ensuring survivors are properly heard andsupported.About the Canadian Center for Women’s Empowerment (CCFWE)The Canadian Center for Women’s Empowerment (CCFWE) is the only Canadian national nonfor profit organization based in Ottawa dedicated to addressing Economic Abuse and injusticethrough advocacy, education, research, economic empowerment, and policy change.CCFWE works collaboratively with organizations and individuals to develop a comprehensiveapproach that enables domestic violence survivors to recover from Economic Abuse. It alsoaddresses critical policy gaps preventing survivors from recovering and becoming economicallysecure and independent.ContactMichaela MayerDirector of Policy, CCFWEmichaela.m@ccfwe.org514-619-6414Dr. Natalie SnowResearch Analyst, CCFWEnatalie.snow@ccfwe.org