Ottawa – Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health issue that has immediate and long-term impacts for victims, survivors, and their families. Victims and survivors of IPV often face physical and mental anguish, humiliation and intimidation that can make pursuing justice difficult. Providing improved and accessible legal resources is critical to ensuring victims and survivors can seek justice with confidence.
Gary Anandasangaree, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, along with Dr Hedy Fry, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Centre, and Kim Hawkins, Executive Director of the Rise Women’s Legal Centre, announced financial support of over $3.1M to Rise Women’s Legal Center for projects designed to improve access to justice for IPV victims in British Columbia. Rise is an independent community legal clinic based in Vancouver, providing accessible legal services to women in British Columbia.
Through this funding, the Government of Canada is helping victims navigate the legal system and provide necessary supports through initiatives such as:
- Independent legal advice, independent legal representation and navigation services to victims and survivors of IPV through a virtual legal clinic. This project will also provide training and resources to community organizations, as well as lawyers and legal professionals working with victims and survivors of IPV.
- Improved Family Law Advocacy programs in the province by identifying and responding to gaps in the services currently provided. It will also provide a range of supports for those who help individuals navigate the family justice system, known as advocates, through continuous standardized training, mentorship and practical supports.
- Greater outreach for Rise’s Family Advocate Support Line program, now expanded to increase outreach to Indigenous organizations around BC and provide specialized family law and child protection support specifically to First Nations band representatives.
Justice Canada is providing a total of $3,192,260 over five years through the Justice Partnership and Innovation Program and the Canadian Family Justice Fund.
“Although IPV can affect anyone, women are victimized the most, and they experience physical, mental, cognitive and financial harm. Having the right support system in place will help reduce barriers and improve access to justice for victims, which is a fundamental Canadian value and an integral part of a fair and just society based on the rule of law. With this funding to Rise Women’s Legal Centre, our government is helping to expand these services, and providing much-needed support to victims and their families in British Columbia.” – Gary Anandasangaree, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada