You Can’t Say That in Court!

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In the final episode of season 2, we explore the contradiction at the heart of family violence work: despite the complexity and high stakes of these cases, there is often no requirement for specialized education or training. We examine why the anti‑violence sector continues to emphasize training, including the need to challenge persistent myths, stereotypes, and widely held mis...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In the second episode of this two‑part series, we turn our focus to trauma‑informed legal practice and what it looks like in action. The conversation explores how legal spaces can offer safety rather than reproduce harm, emphasizing the importance of meaningful supports, cultural responsiveness, and a commitment to “do no further harm.” We also reflect on the realities of vicar...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: This episode is the first of a two‑part conversation on decolonizing family law. We begin by grounding ourselves in key concepts that shape what it means to decolonize family law and legal practice. We unpack decolonization as an ongoing process, rooted in cultural humility and a willingness to move forward even when we don’t have perfect answers. The conversation explores the...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:  In this episode, we unpack Ahluwalia, a landmark case that reshaped the legal landscape of Family law, starting with the background of the case and how it made its way through the courts. We examine how myths and stereotypes in family law influenced the legal analysis. We then break down why the Supreme Court of Canada recognized a new tort, what that means in practice, and wh...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: From courtroom hallways to virtual hearings, the justice system has changed, but should access to court be one-size-fits-all? In this episode, we explore the evolving methods of court appearance, tracing how virtual court became a necessity during COVID-19 and why flexibility remains critical today. We discuss the benefits, challenges, and real-world impacts of in-person, virtu...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: Past research from Rise highlighted how attending court in person can be unsafe for survivors of violence. In this episode, we move into the next phase of that work, sharing both general trends and specific findings from Rise’s latest research. We discuss what has changed, what risks remain, and what these findings reveal about survivor safety, access, and accountability within...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, we zoom out to examine the growing failures of protection orders and the real‑world consequences for survivors. Drawing from Rise's protection order and housing research, the speakers explore how these legal tools are becoming harder to access, more limited in scope, and increasingly shaped by myths about risk, credibility, and “good” victimhood. We place these...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, we continue our exploration of the challenges survivors face when leaving abusive relationships by examining the legal protections designed to keep them safe, and why these tools often fall short. We break down the landscape of criminal protection orders, including how they're meant to be customized but frequently lack meaningful survivor input, and how their e...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, we take a look at the challenges survivors face when seeking help from the very systems meant to protect them. We unpack how hospitals and emergency rooms respond in moments of crisis, explore the complexities and gaps within police and criminal justice system interactions, and examine the often‑overlooked pressures within child protection responses. Throughout...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In the second episode of Season 2, we dive deeper into the critical housing barriers with our internal guest speaker, Haley Hrymak, as she discusses the financial barriers after leaving an abusive relationship and the disconnect between Family Law remedies & housing realities. Additional Reading Materials: • Rise Full Report: Should I Have Just Stayed? Improving Family Law...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In the first episode of Season 2, we dive into the critical housing barriers faced by people experiencing family violence. Our internal guest speaker, Haley Hrymak, helps illuminate how housing challenges directly intersect with survivor safety. Haley’s research report, “Should I Have Just Stayed”, explores the complex experiences of survivors navigating both housing instabilit...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this final episode of Season 1, we talk about Dr. Kim Stanton’s report on how the BC legal system handles intimate partner and sexual violence. The report looks at why progress has been slow and offers over 20 recommendations for real change. We highlight main topics like better collaboration, courthouse safety, fair pay for support workers, and ending harmful myths. Dr. Sta...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, we talk about technology-facilitated abuse which is when tech or online tools are used to control, harass, or track a partner. We share examples like location tracking, email hacking, and misuse of cloud storage, and offer simple safety tips like changing passwords and resetting devices. As we near the end of the season, we highlight ways to stay safe and where...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: Finding the right family lawyer in BC can be tough. In this episode, we talk about why it is hard, the difference between legal aid and private lawyers, and how to find someone who is a good fit for you. Learn more in our guide, How do I Choose A Family Lawyer?: https://www.womenslegalcentre.ca/publications/how-to-choose-a-family-lawyer   LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Everything that we ha...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: Support workers are a key part of BC’s family law system, but they are underpaid, overworked, and undertrained for the legal demands they are facing. From victim services to outreach and housing, they are filling critical gaps left by inaccessible legal services. In this episode, we talk about funding problems, legal challenges, and why long-term support and training are so imp...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, we talk about the real-life struggles people face when trying to deal with family court in BC’s rural and remote (RRN) communities. We share what we found during our 2022 research, where we visited 40 communities and spoke with support workers and lawyers. People in these areas often face serious barriers like having to travel long distances to get to court, de...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: This episode is the final episode of a five-part series that was recorded in 2024. Stephanie and Vicky continue their conversation with Stephanie Hodgson and Melissa Klages. The five-part series discusses the problems when family law overlaps with immigration, criminal and child protection law (or family policing). This last episode in the series ties up everything up and discu...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: This episode is part four of a five-part series that was recorded in 2024. Stephanie and Vicky continue their conversation with Stephanie Hodgson, and Melissa Klages. The five-part series discuss the problems when family law overlaps with immigration, criminal and child protection law (or family policing). Lawyers are not in a position to take on legal matters where they are no...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: This episode is part three of a five-part series that was recorded in 2024. Stephanie and Vicky continue their conversation with Stephanie Hodgson, and Melissa Klages. The five-part series discusses the problems when family law overlaps with immigration, criminal and child protection law (or family policing). This episode discusses how different areas of law can intersect with...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: This episode is part two of a five-part series that was recorded in 2024. Stephanie and Vicky had invited two lawyers, one who has been part of this podcast earlier - Stephanie Hodgson, and Melissa Klages, managing lawyer at Arrow law in what is colonially known Revelstoke. The five-part series discusses the problems when family law overlaps with immigration, criminal and child...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: This episode is part one of a five-part series that was recorded in 2024. Stephanie and Vicky had invited two lawyers, one who has been part of this podcast earlier - Stephanie Hodgson, and Melissa Klages, managing lawyer at Arrow law in what is colonially known Revelstoke. The five-part series discuss the problems when family law overlaps with immigration, criminal and child p...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, hosts Stephanie and Vicky are joined by Natalie Longe, Supervising Lawyer of Rise's Virtual Legal Clinic, to discuss the evolution of family law. Natalie was called to the BC bar in 1998 and has been practicing family law ever since. Prior to joining Rise, she worked as a family law advocate at a transition house in Victoria for two years. Natalie brings a dive...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, Vicky and Stephanie speak about litigation abuse, also referred to as court-related or litigation harassment, and the ways legal processes can be misused. Once again, the episode covers the patterns of behaviour in litigation abuse, and commonly used tactics, which continue to perpetuate harm.   LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Everything that we have said today is not legal...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, Stephanie and Vicky speak about financial abuse. The reality of abusive relationship is the at the survivor is usually very financially dependent on the perpetrator, which is one of the ways for the perpetrator to maintain control. Financial abuse is a tangible example of coercive control because it’s a pattern of behaviour (instead of a one-time incident) and...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, we are joined by Vandana Sood - a staff lawyer at Rise, who answers question regarding myths and stereotypes at the trial level. In 2024, Vandana represented the mother and appealed a final parenting order that provided the father (the respondent) with equal and unsupervised parenting time. The BC Court of Appeal found that the trial judge had failed to conduct...