Domestic violence survivors in British Columbia are facing increased challenges due to the housing affordability crisis, according to a report by the Rise Women’s Legal Centre in Vancouver. The report, based on interviews with over 40 victims of intimate partner violence, highlights the need for legal reforms to expedite access to protection orders and enhance legal aid services for victims seeking safer housing options.
Haley Hrymak, a staff lawyer at Rise, conducted interviews with victims and experts in the legal and charity sectors to compile the report. She emphasized that the housing crisis in B.C. often traps individuals in abusive relationships or forces them back into harmful situations due to the lack of affordable housing alternatives.
The report underlines the shortcomings of B.C.’s family law system in considering safe housing when determining protection orders or custody arrangements. It recommends amendments to the Family Law Act to mandate courts to factor in gender-related elements such as housing affordability and domestic violence in relocation applications.
Furthermore, the report proposes expanding legal aid services to assist survivors in securing family property and obtaining protection orders promptly. It advocates for better communication within the family law system to streamline the process of acquiring protection orders and child support.
Erin Seeley, CEO of YWCA Metro Vancouver, highlighted the long waitlist for transitional housing units, with over 1,000 women and families in need of accommodation. She stressed the importance of trauma-informed approaches within the legal system to support victims of intimate partner violence effectively.
While praising the call for increased legal aid funding, Seeley urged for more provincial investment in addressing gender-based violence, especially in the context of housing support for women. The report’s recommendations align with ongoing efforts by the B.C. government, including a significant investment in women’s transitional housing and a comprehensive review of the Family Law Act following an independent report by Dr. Kim Stanton.
In response to the report’s findings, the B.C. Attorney General’s office confirmed ongoing initiatives to address the recommendations, including potential changes to expand protection order eligibility and enhance collaboration within the legal system.
The report sheds light on the urgent need to address the intersection of domestic violence and housing insecurity in British Columbia, emphasizing the crucial role of legal reforms and enhanced support services for survivors.
