A Vancouver non-profit organization, Rise Women’s Legal Centre, conducted interviews with over 40 intimate partner violence survivors who shared how abusers are exploiting British Columbia’s housing affordability crisis. The interviews led to a report recommending legal reforms to streamline the process of obtaining protection orders and expand legal aid services to assist victims in leaving abusive relationships and securing safer housing.
Haley Hrymak, a staff lawyer at Rise, engaged with victims and stakeholders in the legal system and domestic violence charities to compile the report. She highlighted how the housing crisis in B.C. often traps individuals in abusive situations due to the lack of affordable housing options, forcing them to stay or return to harmful relationships.
The report underscored the inadequacy of B.C.’s family law system in considering safe housing when making decisions on protection orders and custody applications. It proposed amending the Family Law Act to mandate courts to factor in gender-related aspects like housing affordability and family violence in relocation cases.
Additionally, the report advocated for enhanced legal aid services to support survivors in navigating family property applications and urged for improved communication within the family law system to expedite protection orders and child support processes.
Erin Seeley, CEO of YWCA Metro Vancouver, disclosed a lengthy waitlist of over 1,000 women and families seeking transitional and long-term housing units, emphasizing the persistent demand for safe housing options. She stressed the importance of trauma-informed approaches within the family law system to better serve intimate partner violence victims.
While the federal budget lacked specific provisions for women in housing, there is hope for continued funding from women’s advancement initiatives. The B.C. Attorney General’s office confirmed over $1 billion investment in women’s transitional housing and indicated ongoing efforts to review and potentially amend the Family Law Act to enhance protection order eligibility and accessibility.
The province aims to enhance collaboration among legal system stakeholders to effectively address the recommendations outlined in the report in the coming weeks.