Before March 2021, the ''[[Divorce Act]]'' did not mention family violence. The new amendments changed that, and there is now a broad definition of family violence is included which is more in keeping with similar to how the ''Family Law Act'' treats it.

Since March 2021, judges now have take a long list of best-interests factors to take into consideration when making decisions about children. The factors include things like:

Family violence is another important factor, and when family violence is present, the ''Divorce Act'' now includes a list of additional factors for judges to consider, including the nature and frequency of the violence. Since the amendments, judges are now usually required by section 7.8(1) to consider civil protection and child protection orders when making orders dealing with children or support under the ''Divorce Act''. This means a judge can review available files or ask questions to make sure that their own orders are made in coordination with any existing protection orders.

Both acts also the ''Family Law Act'' and the ''Divorce Act'' now require the court to consider the impact of coercive control and family violence when making decisions about children, something that the ''Divorce Act'' did not used to require. And because family violence is significantly harmful to children who witness it, the new ''Divorce Act'' now clarifies that exposing a child to acts of family violence against someone else is family violence against the child.