My ex-husband spent years controlling every part of my life. Are there any legal options available to me?

What you're describing — financial control, isolation, and emotional abuse over many years — is a serious form of harm. Many survivors have felt the law didn't fully recognize what they experienced. A recent court decision may offer a new path to justice — though what it means for each person will be different.  

In May 2026, the Supreme Court of Canada in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia recognized a new tort of intimate partner violence. While this tort applies to intimate partners of any gender, women are disproportionately those harmed by intimate partner violence — and the court recognized that.

A tort is a civil legal claim. It lets you ask a court to award you money — called damages — because someone caused you harm. Unlike a criminal case, which the government handles, you bring a tort claim yourself. 

Before this decision, Canadian law had no claim designed for what many survivors actually experience: an ongoing pattern of control — not just separate incidents. The court recognized that intimate partner violence works this way. Over time, it wears down a person's dignity and independence, and can make it very hard to act freely or leave the relationship.

The new claim covers more than physical violence. It can include things like:

• cutting you off from friends and family

• controlling your money

• putting you down or humiliating you

• emotional abuse

• sexual pressure or coercion

• threats and intimidation

It can also cover abusive conduct that continues after the relationship ends.

The three-part test

To make a claim, you need to show three things:

1. The abuse happened while you were in an intimate relationship — or after it ended.

2. The other person did it on purpose.

3. Together, it adds up to coercive control — a pattern of behaviour meant to dominate or control you.

If you can show those three things, the court treats that as proof of harm. You don't need to prove anything more. 

If your claim succeeds, a court can award you damages — money to recognize the harm you experienced. The amount will depend on how serious and how long the abuse was.

Time limits

In BC, you generally have two years from when you realized — or should have realized — that you might have a claim. But don't assume it's too late. Courts can sometimes allow more time — for example, if the harm only became clear over time, or if the abuse continued after the relationship ended. If you're unsure, speak to a lawyer before you decide.

Next steps

This is a new area of law. If you're thinking about making a claim, a lawyer with experience in intimate partner violence or civil litigation can help you understand your options and whether the timing works for you.

Taking legal action is a personal decision. It can mean revisiting painful experiences, and the legal process itself can be hard to navigate and bring up trauma. Whatever you decide, support is available alongside legal advice. 

Here are some places to start:

• VictimLinkBC can connect you with emotional support and practical assistance as you figure out your next steps.

• BC Legal Referral Service can connect you with a lawyer for a free 15- to 30-minute consultation.

• Clicklaw's legal services directory can help you find free or low-cost legal services in communities across BC.