Domestic violence survivors in British Columbia are facing heightened challenges due to the ongoing housing affordability crisis, according to a recent study by the Rise Women’s Legal Centre in Vancouver. The study, which involved interviews with more than 40 victims of intimate partner violence, highlights the urgent need for legal reforms to expedite access to protection orders and enhance legal aid services for victims seeking to leave abusive relationships and secure safer housing.
Haley Hrymak, a staff lawyer at Rise, conducted interviews with survivors and various stakeholders in the legal and domestic violence support sectors, culminating in the report’s publication. The report sheds light on how the housing crisis in B.C. often forces individuals to remain in abusive relationships or return to them due to the lack of affordable housing alternatives.
Perpetrators of abuse are exploiting the housing crisis as a means to control their victims, using threats such as withholding shelter options to maintain power dynamics within the relationship. The study reveals systemic shortcomings in B.C.’s family law system, particularly in considering safe housing when issuing protection orders or custody decisions.
Recommendations from the report include amending the Family Law Act to compel courts to account for gender-specific factors like housing affordability and domestic violence in relocation applications. It also advocates for enhanced legal aid services to assist survivors in navigating legal processes, including property claims.
Furthermore, the report emphasizes the importance of expedited communication within the family law system to facilitate prompt issuance of protection orders and child support. These suggestions align with previous recommendations outlined in an independent review by Dr. Kim Stanton commissioned by the province earlier this year.
Addressing the housing challenges faced by domestic violence survivors, Erin Seeley, CEO of YWCA Metro Vancouver, highlights the overwhelming demand for transitional and long-term housing units, with over 1,000 women and families on the organization’s waitlist. She stresses the need for legal aid funding and emphasizes the significance of trauma-informed approaches within the family law system to better support victims of intimate partner violence.
While provincial investments in women’s transitional housing exceed $1 billion over a decade, there is a call for increased support and provincial initiatives to combat gender-based violence. The B.C. government is currently reviewing the Family Law Act in response to the recommendations put forth in Stanton’s report, with potential changes aimed at expanding protection order eligibility and streamlining legal processes for survivors seeking assistance.
In the coming weeks, the government plans to provide updates on its progress in addressing the report’s recommendations and fostering collaboration among stakeholders within the legal system.