Ontario has introduced legislation aimed at training judges and justices of the peace on intimate partner violence and coercive control, in response to the tragic case of Keira Kagan. The four-year-old was found dead alongside her father, Robin Brown, at the base of a cliff in February 2020, after years of custody battles between Kagan and Brown, who had a history of sexual assault and violence towards Kagan. Despite 53 court orders being issued against Brown, judges did not take his behavior into account when deciding his access to Keira. The legislation, known as Keira’s Law, has been enacted federally and provincially, ensuring that all judges receive training and education on domestic violence.
The move comes after 788 homicides were reported in Canada in 2021, with 154 victims killed by a family member. The issue of family violence has seen a consistent rise in the country, with a report from Statistics Canada last fall highlighting the problem. The legislation is part of an effort to create changes in the judicial system when it comes to dealing with cases of intimate partner violence, and to prevent children from experiencing the same tragic fate as Keira. Her mother, Jennifer Kagan, hopes that Keira’s legacy will serve as a «beacon of protection» for other children who might be in danger.
Attorney General Doug Downey acknowledged the importance of the legislation, struggling to find words as he introduced Kagan and her partner to the legislature. He said that it is critical that those making decisions in the judicial system understand the dynamics of intimate partner violence. Kagan, who wiped away tears throughout the interview, hopes that her daughter’s name will be remembered for the positive changes she has brought about. The legislation will ensure that Keira’s memory will live on, and hopefully prevent future cases of intimate partner violence from resulting in similar tragedies.