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A free Ontario program is helping survivors of intimate partner violence navigate one of the most stressful parts of leaving an abusive relationship — family court.
This week’s Silence Broken: The IPV Talks comes from Toronto, where Lanark County Interval House Executive Director Erin Lee attended the 14th annual gathering of Family Court Support Workers hosted by Luke’s Place.
Host Bob Perreault also speaks with Luke’s Place co-director Emily Murray and feminist lawyer and advocate Pamela Cross.
Murray says support workers have become increasingly important as more women enter family court without lawyers.
The workers can help survivors understand court processes, prepare documents, connect with legal services and follow up after appointments.
The service is available across Ontario and does not require a financial eligibility test.
Cross says connecting with a support worker can help even before someone meets with a lawyer.
The episode also explores the challenges of providing the service in rural Ontario, where workers may travel hours to reach clients and courts.
The complete conversation is featured in this week’s Silence Broken: The IPV Talks found below.
