You Can’t Say That in Court!

Episode 14: Legal Intersections with Family Law - Bridging the Gaps

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: This episode is the final episode of a five-part series that was recorded in 2024. Stephanie and Vicky continue their conversation with Stephanie Hodgson and Melissa Klages. The five-part series discusses the problems when family law overlaps with immigration, criminal and child protection law (or family policing).
This last episode in the series ties up everything up and discusses the strategies on how to create a good support system for clients. 
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Everything that we have said today is not legal advice. If you or someone you know needs legal advice, please consult with a lawyer.
TRIGGER WARNING: Our podcast series will discuss difficult topics such as gender-based violence and intimate partner violence, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and financial abuse. Please be aware that this is a thread that is woven throughout all the episodes, and we hope you will take care of yourselves however you need.
MUSIC: Song "Crushing", performed by Reveille (license purchased for use)
GRAPHICS: By Melanie Ligale
This episode is made possible the generous contribution by Women and Gender Equality Canada, Femmes et Égalité des genres Canada
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Rise is a community legal centre providing accessible legal services to self-identified women and gender diverse people in British Columbia since 2016. Our programs and services are aimed at providing limited legal services to economically disadvantaged clients, who are self-representing in their family law matters in BC
For more information on our organization, visit Rise Women's Legal Centre

Episode 13: Legal Intersections with Family Law - Strategic Collaborations

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: This episode is part four of a five-part series that was recorded in 2024. Stephanie and Vicky continue their conversation with Stephanie Hodgson, and Melissa Klages. The five-part series discuss the problems when family law overlaps with immigration, criminal and child protection law (or family policing).
Lawyers are not in a position to take on legal matters where they are not qualified so if there are multiple matters, there will be a different lawyer for each area of law (when a client can afford it!). This episode discusses some practical approaches lawyers can take to help when there is more than one legal issue at a time.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Everything that we have said today is not legal advice. If you or someone you know needs legal advice, please consult with a lawyer.
TRIGGER WARNING: Our podcast series will discuss difficult topics such as gender-based violence and intimate partner violence, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and financial abuse. Please be aware that this is a thread that is woven throughout all the episodes, and we hope you will take care of yourselves however you need.
MUSIC: Song "Crushing", performed by Reveille (license purchased for use)
GRAPHICS: By Melanie Ligale
This episode is made possible the generous contribution by Women and Gender Equality Canada, Femmes et Égalité des genres Canada
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Rise is a community legal centre providing accessible legal services to self-identified women and gender diverse people in British Columbia since 2016. Our programs and services are aimed at providing limited legal services to economically disadvantaged clients, who are self-representing in their family law matters in BC
For more information on our organization, visit Rise Women's Legal Centre

Episode 12: Legal Intersections with Family Law - the Harm of Investigations

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: This episode is part three of a five-part series that was recorded in 2024. Stephanie and Vicky continue their conversation with Stephanie Hodgson, and Melissa Klages. The five-part series discusses the problems when family law overlaps with immigration, criminal and child protection law (or family policing). This episode discusses how different areas of law can intersect with family law.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Everything that we have said today is not legal advice. If you or someone you know needs legal advice, please consult with a lawyer.
TRIGGER WARNING: Our podcast series will discuss difficult topics such as gender-based violence and intimate partner violence, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and financial abuse. Please be aware that this is a thread that is woven throughout all the episodes, and we hope you will take care of yourselves however you need.
MUSIC: Song "Crushing", performed by Reveille (license purchased for use)
GRAPHICS: By Melanie Ligale
This episode is made possible the generous contribution by Women and Gender Equality Canada, Femmes et Égalité des genres Canada
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Rise is a community legal centre providing accessible legal services to self-identified women and gender diverse people in British Columbia since 2016. Our programs and services are aimed at providing limited legal services to economically disadvantaged clients, who are self-representing in their family law matters in BC
For more information on our organization, visit Rise Women's Legal Centre

Episode 11: Legal Intersections with Family Law - Surviving the System

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: This episode is part two of a five-part series that was recorded in 2024. Stephanie and Vicky had invited two lawyers, one who has been part of this podcast earlier - Stephanie Hodgson, and Melissa Klages, managing lawyer at Arrow law in what is colonially known Revelstoke.
The five-part series discusses the problems when family law overlaps with immigration, criminal and child protection law (or family policing). This episode discusses the complications when different areas of law become interconnected.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Everything that we have said today is not legal advice. If you or someone you know needs legal advice, please consult with a lawyer.
TRIGGER WARNING: Our podcast series will discuss difficult topics such as gender-based violence and intimate partner violence, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and financial abuse. Please be aware that this is a thread that is woven throughout all the episodes, and we hope you will take care of yourselves however you need.
MUSIC: Song "Crushing", performed by Reveille (license purchased for use)
GRAPHICS: By Melanie Ligale
This episode is made possible the generous contribution by Women and Gender Equality Canada, Femmes et Égalité des genres Canada
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Rise is a community legal centre providing accessible legal services to self-identified women and gender diverse people in British Columbia since 2016. Our programs and services are aimed at providing limited legal services to economically disadvantaged clients, who are self-representing in their family law matters in BC.
For more information on our organization, visit Rise Women's Legal Centre

Episode 10: Legal Intersections with Family Law -Trapped Twice

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: This episode is part one of a five-part series that was recorded in 2024. Stephanie and Vicky had invited two lawyers, one who has been part of this podcast earlier - Stephanie Hodgson, and Melissa Klages, managing lawyer at Arrow law in what is colonially known Revelstoke.
The five-part series discuss the problems when family law overlaps with immigration, criminal and child protection law (or family policing). This episode focuses on how the overlap of different areas of law can be used as a manipulation to cause harm to survivors. Note: Stephanie Hodgson refers to family legal clinics in the episode and mentions that they are yet to open. Since recording this episode, the legal clinics have opened up. 
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Everything that we have said today is not legal advice. If you or someone you know needs legal advice, please consult with a lawyer.
TRIGGER WARNING: Our podcast series will discuss difficult topics such as gender-based violence and intimate partner violence, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and financial abuse. Please be aware that this is a thread that is woven throughout all the episodes, and we hope you will take care of yourselves however you need.
MUSIC: Song "Crushing", performed by Reveille (license purchased for use)
GRAPHICS: By Melanie Ligale
This episode is made possible the generous contribution by Women and Gender Equality Canada, Femmes et Égalité des genres Canada
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Rise is a community legal centre providing accessible legal services to self-identified women and gender diverse people in British Columbia since 2016. Our programs and services are aimed at providing limited legal services to economically disadvantaged clients, who are self-representing in their family law matters in BC
For more information on our organization, visit Rise Women's Legal Centre

Episode 9: Family Violence: Evolution of Family Law

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, hosts Stephanie and Vicky are joined by Natalie Longe, Supervising Lawyer of Rise's Virtual Legal Clinic, to discuss the evolution of family law. Natalie was called to the BC bar in 1998 and has been practicing family law ever since. Prior to joining Rise, she worked as a family law advocate at a transition house in Victoria for two years. Natalie brings a diverse wealth of knowledge and experience helping survivors navigate the BC family law system, and is currently running Rise's Counsel Connect program, which provides phone calls and virtual meetings for lawyers assisting clients who have experienced family violence outside of the Lower Mainland. 
This episode talks about the evolution of what we know today as the Family Law Act from the Family Relations Act of 1972 and the integration of the language of family violence in the act. 
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Everything that we have said today is not legal advice. If you or someone you know needs legal advice, please consult with a lawyer.
TRIGGER WARNING: Our podcast series will discuss difficult topics such as gender-based violence and intimate partner violence, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and financial abuse. Please be aware that this is a thread that is woven throughout all the episodes, and we hope you will take care of yourselves however you need.
MUSIC: Song "Crushing", performed by Reveille (license purchased for use)
GRAPHICS: By Melanie Ligale
This episode is made possible the generous contribution by Women and Gender Equality Canada, Femmes et Égalité des genres Canada
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Rise is a community legal centre providing accessible legal services to self-identified women and gender diverse people in British Columbia since 2016. Our programs and services are aimed at providing limited legal services to economically disadvantaged clients, who are self-representing in their family law matters in BC
For more information on our organization, visit Rise Women's Legal Centre

Episode 8: Family Violence: Litigation Abuse

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, Vicky and Stephanie speak about litigation abuse, also referred to as court-related or litigation harassment, and the ways legal processes can be misused. Once again, the episode covers the patterns of behaviour in litigation abuse, and commonly used tactics, which continue to perpetuate harm.  
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Everything that we have said today is not legal advice. If you or someone you know needs legal advice, please consult with a lawyer.
TRIGGER WARNING: Our podcast series will discuss difficult topics such as gender-based violence and intimate partner violence, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and financial abuse. Please be aware that this is a thread that is woven throughout all the episodes, and we hope you will take care of yourselves however you need.
MUSIC: Song "Crushing", performed by Reveille (license purchased for use)
GRAPHICS: By Melanie Ligale
This episode is made possible the generous contribution by Women and Gender Equality Canada, Femmes et Égalité des genres Canada
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Rise is a community legal centre providing accessible legal services to self-identified women and gender diverse people in British Columbia since 2016. Our programs and services are aimed at providing limited legal services to economically disadvantaged clients, who are self-representing in their family law matters in BC
For more information on our organization, visit Rise Women's Legal Centre

Episode 7: Family Violence: Financial Abuse

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, Stephanie and Vicky speak about financial abuse. The reality of abusive relationship is the at the survivor is usually very financially dependent on the perpetrator, which is one of the ways for the perpetrator to maintain control. Financial abuse is a tangible example of coercive control because it’s a pattern of behaviour (instead of a one-time incident) and undermines every aspect of someone’s independence and their ability to leave the relationship at all. The hosts share specific examples of what financial abuse can look like in a relationship and how financial abuse can continue after separation. 
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Everything that we have said today is not legal advice. If you or someone you know needs legal advice, please consult with a lawyer.
TRIGGER WARNING: Our podcast series will discuss difficult topics such as gender-based violence and intimate partner violence, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and financial abuse. Please be aware that this is a thread that is woven throughout all the episodes, and we hope you will take care of yourselves however you need.
MUSIC: Song "Crushing", performed by Reveille (license purchased for use)
GRAPHICS: By Melanie Ligale
This episode is made possible the generous contribution by Women and Gender Equality Canada, Femmes et Égalité des genres Canada
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Rise is a community legal centre providing accessible legal services to self-identified women and gender diverse people in British Columbia since 2016. Our programs and services are aimed at providing limited legal services to economically disadvantaged clients, who are self-representing in their family law matters in BC
For more information on our organization, visit Rise Women's Legal Centre

Episode 6: "It Does Matter": Family Violence at the BC Court of Appeal

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, we are joined by Vandana Sood - a staff lawyer at Rise, who answers question regarding myths and stereotypes at the trial level. In 2024, Vandana represented the mother and appealed a final parenting order that provided the father (the respondent) with equal and unsupervised parenting time. The BC Court of Appeal found that the trial judge had failed to conduct a proper analysis of the mother’s allegations of family violence. The Court of Appeal also found that the trial judge failed to consider the effect of a child’s exposure to family violence when assessing the best interests of the child and relied on in reaching the trial decision. In this episode, the hosts ask Vandana about:
What were some of the myths that appeared at the trial level?
Why was the recognition of these myths in the higher court so important?
What is the importance of considering indirect family violence (vs. Direct family violence)?
What does this case, KMN, do for the future of family law cases?
References:
1. Court of Appeal Judgement  
2. Canlii decision: K.M.N. v. S.Z.M., 2024 BCCA 70 (CanLII)
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Everything that we have said today is not legal advice. If you or someone you know needs legal advice, please consult with a lawyer.
TRIGGER WARNING: Our podcast series will discuss difficult topics such as gender-based violence and intimate partner violence, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and financial abuse. Please be aware that this is a thread that is woven throughout all the episodes, and we hope you will take care of yourselves however you need.
MUSIC: Song "Crushing", performed by Reveille (license purchased for use)
GRAPHICS: By Melanie Ligale
This episode is made possible the generous contribution by Women and Gender Equality Canada, Femmes et Égalité des genres Canada
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Rise is a community legal centre providing accessible legal services to self-identified women and gender diverse people in British Columbia since 2016. Our programs and services are aimed at providing limited legal services to economically disadvantaged clients, who are self-representing in their family law matters in BC
For more information on our organization, visit Rise Women's Legal Centre

Episode 5: Family Violence: Why Can't Everyone Just Get Along?

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, we are joined by Haley Hrymak - a staff lawyer at Rise. Haley shares some of the findings from Rise’s research project, which was conducted between June 2017 and May 2020 (funded by WAGE). This research found that despite the well-documented prevalence of family violence directed at women. many legal system professionals still tend to view cases involving family violence as outliers or exceptions to the norm.
The findings are presented in a report titled: Why Can't Everyone Just Get Along?
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Everything that we have said today is not legal advice. If you or someone you know needs legal advice, please consult with a lawyer.
TRIGGER WARNING: Our podcast series will discuss difficult topics such as gender-based violence and intimate partner violence, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and financial abuse. Please be aware that this is a thread that is woven throughout all the episodes, and we hope you will take care of yourselves however you need.
MUSIC: Song "Crushing", performed by Reveille (license purchased for use)
GRAPHICS: By Melanie Ligale
This episode is made possible the generous contribution by Women and Gender Equality Canada, Femmes et Égalité des genres Canada
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Rise is a community legal centre providing accessible legal services to self-identified women and gender diverse people in British Columbia since 2016. Our programs and services are aimed at providing limited legal services to economically disadvantaged clients, who are self-representing in their family law matters in BC
For more information on our organization, visit Rise Women's Legal Centre