Episode Notes

“Anyone who thinks a child is in danger has a legal obligation to report it”

Exposure to conflict and violence changes kids brains, we must limit abuse on children.

If there is an emergency, call legal aid (no matter what your income level is) or go to the court house (duty council) immediately – this is where you can get an Emergency Protection Order EPO to protect you” and you may want to call Child and Family Services. You can get a phone number on the Legal Aid website.

Angles of Family Violence:

1.  How does it affect our outcome (ie. As it relates to parenting, ideally is there is an allegation of violence, a mental health specialist would be brought in for guidance, assessment, insight an education)

2.  How does it affect out process? Can be hard to find representation because Family Violence is a niche area.

Processes can be different when Family Violence is present. It is dangerous to make assumption about the spectrum of violence.

Look at the issues first, that helps to add clarity to the process. Sometimes people don’t want the history of abuse to be part of the public record, if that is the case there are divorce processes where it wouldn’t be. Although that process may not be the best route to go – it depends on your circumstances. Your lawyer will have an opinion on

this.

Child and Family services protects children. They can become very involved so people need to be aware that they are inviting a strong group into their lives. They can help get a court order, help people with dangerous situations, they can do investigations. It is a big 0deal when you get them involved because they follow through. Violence can be hard to identify. There are organizations that can help, lawyers and friends and family need to listen when there is an allegation and rather than give advice, they should be pointed to the organizations on our website. It’s hard to leave relationships. Eg. The Today Centre Good quality in a lawyer for this assertiveness not aggressiveness. There is a distinct difference and a lot of

times experience in the area is really important. If money is tight legal aid would be your first phone call to see if you qualify.  Sometimes a mental health specialists would be a better use of money than a lawyer. Limited Scope services may work too. See out episode from Ken Proudman on this topic. Legal aid is a provincial organization where there are internal lawyers and also external lawyers who participate. The Gov’t subsidized the legal costs, there are no retainers, lawyers get paid less than their typical rate, it is based on people’s assets and income levels to qualify. A payment plan can be setup so people can pay their reduced rate. It is less than half the typical cost of a lawyer.