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A Landmark Shift in Canadian Family Law and Coercive Control Litigation In Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia, 2026 SCC 16, the Supreme Court of Canada officially recognized a new tort of intimate partner violence centred on coercive control. This decision represents a significant shift in how Canadian law understands abuse within intimate relationships and will likely have major implications for family law litigation, coercive control analysis, and litigation support across Canada. For

Many professionals step into their roles because they genuinely want to help people navigate difficult situations with care, clarity, and support. Whether working in legal services, mediation, coaching, mental health, education, or family support, the goal is often the same: reduce conflict, support families, and help clients move forward. However, when coercive control is involved, standard conflict-resolution approaches may unintentionally increase harm instead of reducing

How Coercive Control After Separation Affects Decision-Making Many professionals working in family law or social services encounter clients who appear uncertain, inconsistent, or overly cautious in their communication. They may hesitate before answering questions.They may change their position.They may struggle to clearly articulate what they want. This is often interpreted as lack of confidence, indecisiveness, or emotional instability. In many cases, it is none of those thi