Canada’s New Legislation, Bill C-16, Exposes the Violence Link
Animals deserve safety, and so do the people who love them.
Across Canada, children, survivors of gender based violence, and companion animals have been harmed because Canadian law did not fully recognize the connection between animal abuse and human violence. Images of animal sexual abuse have been used to exploit children, and animals have been threatened or harmed to control and intimidate victims.
Humane Canada has been at the forefront of bringing national attention to this issue. For years, we have worked with our member organizations, researchers, and frontline practitioners to elevate the violence link and advocate for stronger protections in the Criminal Code.
With the introduction of Bill C16, the Protecting Victims Act, the Government of Canada has taken an important step forward by moving to criminalize the distribution of animal sexual abuse images and strengthen protections for people whose animals are used as tools of coercion. This bill also proposes a new Criminal Code offence of coercion and control of an intimate partner, closing a significant gap in protection.
This is more than an animal welfare issue. It is a public safety issue and a vital step toward creating safer homes and stronger protections for those most at risk. Humane Canada will continue driving this work until these measures are fully enacted and vulnerable people and animals are protected across the country.
The Challenge
Violence against animals and violence against people are deeply connected. Until now, Canadian law had not fully recognized this reality.
Companion animals are frequently harmed, threatened, or used as leverage in situations of intimate partner violence, child exploitation, and criminal harassment. Abusers often use animals to intimidate, silence, and control victims, creating significant barriers for people who are trying to flee dangerous situations or seek help.
For years, without laws that acknowledged this connection, both people and animals remained vulnerable, and critical warning signs went unaddressed. Bill C-16 changes that, bringing this connection into federal law for the first time.
The Government of Canada has taken an important step with the passage of Bill C-16. Introduced by Justice Minister Sean Fraser, this legislation directly addresses the violence link and strengthens protections for those most at risk.
Criminalizing the Distribution of Animal Sexual Abuse Images
Bill C-16 makes it a criminal offence to distribute images of animal sexual abuse. This disrupts a known pathway used to groom and exploit children and reduces the spread of harmful content online.
Recognizing Animals as Victims and Tools of Coercion
The bill also creates a new coercive control offence, addressing patterns of behaviour used to instill fear and control in a relationship, and includes protection for animals within it. It also amends Criminal Code section 264(2)(d), the criminal harassment provision, to include threats against animals in a person's care. This ensures that when an abuser harms or threatens an animal as a means of control or further harassment, the law recognizes that behaviour as a form of criminal harassment.
The Future You Can Help Build
For years, Humane Canada and our Member organizations have worked to bring national attention to the violence link, advance research, support justice professionals, and push for stronger protections. Bill C-16 reflects the progress of this collective effort, but the work is far from over.
Education, advocacy, and support for survivors and animals affected by violence all require sustained investment. Your donation helps us support frontline organizations protecting both people and animals and continue advocating for the next wins, like closing gaps left by Bill C-34 and beyond.
Donate today and help us build a future where every victim, human or animal, gets the protection they deserve.
