New Law Covers Coercive Control, Cyberstalking

Summary#

• This bill updates Saskatchewan’s Victims of Interpersonal Violence Act. It adds two kinds of non-physical abuse to the law: a pattern of coercive or controlling behavior, and cyberstalking or online harassment.

• The goal is to let people facing these harms get the same protection orders and supports as victims of physical violence. It takes effect as soon as it is signed into law.

• Key changes:

  • Adds “pattern of coercive or controlling behavior” to what counts as interpersonal violence.
  • Adds “cyberstalking or online harassment” to what counts as interpersonal violence.
  • Expands who can ask for protection under the Act, including no-contact and similar protective orders.
  • Applies to abuse in intimate or family relationships; it does not create new criminal offences.

What it means for you#

• General public

  • This change is about safety in intimate or family relationships. It does not regulate general online arguments with strangers or routine disagreements.

• People facing abuse from a partner or family member

  • You can seek a protection order if you are being controlled (for example, isolated from friends, tracked or monitored, controlled money, constant threats) even if there is no physical assault.
  • You can seek a protection order if you are being cyberstalked or harassed online by a partner or family member (for example, repeated unwanted messages, doxxing, tracking, or posting harmful content).
  • You can use texts, emails, call logs, and social media posts as evidence when asking for help.
  • The protections available under the Act (such as no-contact and other safety measures) now clearly cover these situations.

• People named in a protection order (respondents)

  • You may be ordered to stop contacting, monitoring, or following someone, including online.
  • Orders can be granted quickly. Breaking an order can lead to police enforcement and penalties.

• Service providers and advocates

  • Expect more clients who qualify for protection because non-physical abuse and online harassment are now clearly recognized.
  • Training and intake questions may need updates to screen for coercive control and cyberstalking.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Recognizes that serious harm can happen without physical assault, and helps victims get help sooner.
• Reflects how abuse often happens today, including through phones, apps, and social media.
• Uses existing civil protection tools, so it can act fast and does not rely on criminal charges.
• May prevent escalation to physical violence by allowing earlier intervention.
• Brings Saskatchewan’s law in line with emerging best practices that name coercive control as abuse.

Opponents' View#

• Terms like “coercive” or “controlling” can be broad, which may lead to inconsistent decisions or misuse.
• Evidence for patterns of behavior can be hard to collect and judge, adding pressure on police, courts, and victim services.
• Risk that normal relationship conflict or persistent but lawful online speech could be swept in if standards are unclear.
• Quick emergency orders without advance notice can raise fairness concerns for people accused.
• May overlap with existing criminal laws on harassment, creating confusion about which path to use.