@risewomenslegal.bsky.social report "Should I Have Just Stayed?" reveals how BC's housing crisis endangers survivors in the family law system. CFE participated in this crucial and timely research on improving remedies for survivors during the crisis. www.womenslegalcentre.ca/publications...

Today is National Day of Economic Abuse Awareness. Economic abuse is a from of coercive and controlling behavior that can continue long after a survivor leaves, and can have life long effects on a their finances and wellbeing.

For 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2025, we are excited to announce that Hunter Litigation Chambers will be matching donations for our Balance the Scales Campaign up to $5000!

Today on Trans Day of Remembrance, we would like to affirm that Two-Spirit, Trans, and Gender Diverse people deserve to be safe, to be loved, and to live free from violence.

“I think about the survivors in this project who told me how they wanted to leave years before they did, the ones who had to return to their abuser after they left, and the ones who have now left and are still thinking of going back ....

Rise has released a new report, “Should I Have Just Stayed?” Improving Family Law Remedies for Survivors During BC’s Housing Crisis, which shows the dangerous effects of BC’s housing crisis on women and gender diverse people.

Over the past few months, people across Canada rallied together to send a unified message to the Canadian government: meeting today’s challenges requires including women and gender-diverse people, and expanding, not abandoning, gender equality.

We are excited to announce our new fundraising campaign to celebrate our 10th birthday, Balance the Scales!

We are hiring a new Education Manager! Work alongside our Supervising Lawyer, Education to advance Rise’s strategic focus areas of learning and systems change! Please note that this is an 18-month term position to cover parental leave. Apply now at www.womenslegalcentre.ca/careers

The Department of Justice Canada funds legal services for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. This funding helps the 50% of women and gender diverse people across Canada who experience gender-based violence at some point during their lifetime.

This National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, we would like to amplify legal reforms called for in both the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Today is the beginning of gender equality week across Canada. We are asking you to take action to advance Gender equality by asking the Department of Justice Canada to continue funding legal services for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault.

Protect safety for the 50% of women and gender diverse people across Canada by telling the Department of Justice Canada to renew its funding for legal services for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault across Canada. This funding is about to end.

Understanding the rules of evidence in family law trials is crucial. Our new guide explains the important "Browne v Dunn" rule—which concerns how you can challenge statements from the other party or a witness that contradict your own evidence. www.womenslegalcentre.ca/publications...

Rise has signed a petition from the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women calling on the federal government to reverse the proposed 80% budget cuts to Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE).

Our guide "Time Limits in BC Family Law Matters" is now available in additional languages! You can now check out the full guide now available in 6 languages: Simplified Chinese, English, French, Persian (Farsi), Punjabi, and Spanish. www.womenslegalcentre.ca/publications...

We are very happy to see the British Columbia Provincial Court making positive changes to their default method of court appearances. provincialcourt.bc.ca/news-notices...

Join us tomorrow (July 29) for our special partnership with Theatre Under the Stars for Legally Blonde the Musical at Stanley Park!

We're still looking for dedicated new members to join Rise Women's Legal Centre's Board of Directors! Pictured is a testimonial from one of our current Board members about their rewarding experience serving on our Board. womenslegalcentre.ca/careers

Rise is Legal-y Blonde! Right now, Theatre Under the Stars at Stanley Park is putting on Legally Blonde the Musical, and we are partnering with them for their July 29 show. If you use our special link to buy tickets, 20% of the proceeds will go to supporting Rise and our work: bit.ly/4lZXC9S

Next drop in: July 16! Do you need help with a family law matter? Rise now has in-person drop-in services in Vancouver for family legal matters. Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, 1PM-4PM. Note: drop-in legal staff are NOT lawyers and cannot provide legal advice.

The latest episode of You Can’t Say That in Court! is the first of a special 5 part legal series that explores the challenging intersections of family law with immigration, and family policing. Part One: Trapped Twice, focusses on how these overlapping legal areas are weaponized against survivors.

In the latest episode of You Can't Say That In Court!, the hosts Stephanie and Vicky are joined by Natalie Longe, Supervising Lawyer for the Virtual Legal Clinic at Rise!

Rise's Student Legal Clinic (SLC) is accepting appointments to support women and gender diverse people in Metro Vancouver with family law matters! The SLC can help with straight-forward family law matters including parenting & support issues, desk order divorces, and BC Provincial Court matters

As we celebrate Pride Season across BC, we honor both the ancient traditions of gender diversity on these lands and the ongoing fight for liberation and justice for Queer, Trans, and Two-Spirit people.

Financial abuse can be hard to recognize, but it's a real form of domestic violence. In the latest episode of You Can’t Say That in Court! we discuss how family violence is coupled with other forms of abuse and its impact on survivors.

This weeks episode of You Can't Say That in Court! features Vandana Sood, the Supervising Lawyer of Rise's Community Legal Clinic, who achieved an incredible victory in 2024 for survivors of family violence in the BC Court of Appeals case - K.M.N. v. S.Z.M.

Today and every day, we are working to ensure all families get the legal recognition they deserve!

Everyday, we witness the devastating impacts financial abuse has on our clients. It's heartbreaking to see how financial abuse creates barriers that make it so difficult for survivors to leave abusive relationships and rebuild their lives.

Check out our submission urging BC to prioritize inclusion in the Family Law Act: westcoastleaf.org/work/joint-s... (2/2)

Last year, we made a submission to the BC Law Institute's study on parentage, and we're happy to see that new legislation out of the Yukon takes up similar reforms to better support diverse families: yukon.ca/en/news/incl... (1/2)

Today, we stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities on Red Dress Day (May 5), raising awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit People.

In todays episode we continue our conversation on Family Violence. In this clip Hayley Hrymak, Staff Lawyer for Research and Education at Rise, details one of the ways survivors are made to feel unsafe in the family law system - their experiences with violence are minimized or ignored.

For the first day of #AsianHeritageMonth, we're honored to highlight a trailblazer in our field: Margaret Jean Gee. A thread:

We're excited to announce the launch of the Access Toolkit, designed specifically for parent’s counsel navigating child and family services proceedings. The toolkit provides practical tools, legal strategies, and insights to keep families connected.🌱✨ Explore: westcoastleaf.org/work/the-acc...

Through the tireless advocacy of the YWCA Metro Vancouver & other women's organizations including Rise, the Province of BC officially declared gender-based violence an epidemic in January 2025. We recognize the urgent need for systemic change and increased support for survivors.

Join us for the continuation of our conversation on Listening for Family Violence! With guest Stephanie Hodgson. New episode out now!

We are thrilled to celebrate our Student Legal Clinic's achievements this past year! Three dedicated cohorts from UBC’s Peter A. Allard School of Law gained hands-on experience in a law firm setting, developing crucial skills while helping clients who have experienced family violence.

Register today for our upcoming webinar with Courthouse Libraries BC on April 28, 2025! Hear from a panel of experts on why Access Matters: Advocating for Meaningful Access Orders and Agreements in Child and Family Services Proceedings: westcoastleaf.org/event/access-toolkit-webinar/

Episode 3 of You Can't Say That In Court! is out today! In this episode, we explore how you listen when someone is experiencing family violence, challenges with detecting or listening for family violence, practical tips used in legal practice, and much more.

We have released a new guide for support workers and family law advocates! www.womenslegalcentre.ca/publications... This guide is designed for family law advocates and support workers who are assisting or plan to assist clients with serving Supreme Court documents.

On this Trans Day of Visibility, we proudly stand with and celebrate our trans, Two-Spirit, and gender diverse community members!

Join Vicky and Stephanie as they debunk common myths and stereotypes surrounding controlling and coercive behaviour in Episode 2 of You Can't Say That in Court! Out now on all streaming services. risewomenslegalcentre.podbean.com/e/episode2/

Rise has launched a podcast! You Can’t Say That in Court! raises awareness about family violence and the challenges survivors face as they navigate the BC family legal system. Join us as we identify these barriers and call for positive changes to be made for survivors across the province.

COMING SOON: A new Podcast by Rise! Stay tuned for more updates!

It's International Women's Day! Together we can support survivors and create a more safe, just, and equal legal system for all.

On World Day Of Social Justice, we're proud to stand on the frontlines of advancing access to justice in BC. At Rise, our mission goes beyond providing direct legal services—we're creating systemic change through education, research, and advocacy, a 🧵:

Our incredible legal team at the Supreme Court of Canada for Ahluwalia v Ahluwalia today: Rosanna Adams from @risewomenslegal.bsky.social, Kate Feeney from West Coast LEAF, and our amazing pro bono counsel Gita Keshava and Monique Pongracic-Speier!

🧵 1/4: It is Day 2 at the Supreme Court of Canada! @risewomenslegal.bsky.social and West Coast LEAF gave our oral arguments for our intervention in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia.

Rise and @westcoastleaf.bsky.social are intervening at the Supreme Court of Canada Today! The case being heard is Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia, which represents a significant moment for survivors of family violence across Canada. Read more at: womenslegalcentre.ca/rise-cases