Home      Login

Abstract: 

A decision by the Supreme Court of Canada has transformed the legal response to domestic abuse by recognizing coercive control as the basis for a new civil tort. This article examines the court's reasoning in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia, concluding that existing claims such as assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress fail to capture the unique harm caused by sustained patterns of domination, intimidation, isolation, and economic abuse. The article also compares Canada's approach with evolving U.S. law, highlighting how courts and legislatures are increasingly recognizing coercive control as a distinct form of domestic violence with significant legal consequences for survivors and offenders alike.

Keywords: Coercive Control; Intimate Partner Violence; Civil Liability; Family Law; Canada; Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia

Affiliations:  1: Editor.