You Can’t Say That in Court!

S2 Episode 8: Impact of Ahluwalia on Survivors

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:  In this episode, we unpack Ahluwalia, a landmark case that reshaped the legal landscape of Family law, starting with the background of the case and how it made its way through the courts. We examine how myths and stereotypes in family law influenced the legal analysis. We then break down why the Supreme Court of Canada recognized a new tort, what that means in practice, and why it matters. Finally, we zoom out to discuss the access to justice issues this decision raises and what it could mean for future claims.   Additional Reading Materials: * Supreme Court of Canada decision - Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia, 2026 SCC 16 [https://decisions.scc-csc.ca/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/21505/index.do] * Rise Intervention-Ahluwalia v Ahluwalia [https://www.womenslegalcentre.ca/publications/riseintervention-ahluwalia-v-ahluwalia] * Rise’s letter to clients: https://www.womenslegalcentre.ca/s/2026-05-15-Ahluwalia-decision-letter-to-our-clients.pdf [https://www.womenslegalcentre.ca/s/2026-05-15-Ahluwalia-decision-letter-to-our-clients.pdf]   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: Melanie Ligale PRODUCTION: Nithasha PremKumar   If you enjoy listening to our podcasts, please consider making a donation to support our work. We are a registered charity that is dedicated to improving access to justice in BC for women and gender‑diverse people. Donate via womenslegalcentre.ca/donate [https://www.womenslegalcentre.ca/donate]   If you like our podcast, please share it with your network. Keep up to date with the latest episodes by following Rise on social media. We are @RiseWomensLegal [https://www.instagram.com/risewomenslegal/] on all platforms. 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.

S2 Episode 7: Courtroom Innovation

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: From courtroom hallways to virtual hearings, the justice system has changed, but should access to court be one-size-fits-all? In this episode, we explore the evolving methods of court appearance, tracing how virtual court became a necessity during COVID-19 and why flexibility remains critical today. We discuss the benefits, challenges, and real-world impacts of in-person, virtual, and hybrid hearings. Additional Reading Materials: * Building Inclusive and Accessible Family Justice: Practical Approaches to Innovate Family Law Systems in BC’s Rural and Remote Communities [https://www.womenslegalcentre.ca/publications/building-inclusive-and-accessible-family-justice-report] 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: Melanie Ligale PRODUCTION: Nithasha PremKumar 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 [http://www.womenslegalcentre.ca/]

S2 Episode 6: How Safe are Courthouses?

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: Past research from Rise highlighted how attending court in person can be unsafe for survivors of violence. In this episode, we move into the next phase of that work, sharing both general trends and specific findings from Rise’s latest research. We discuss what has changed, what risks remain, and what these findings reveal about survivor safety, access, and accountability within the family law system. Additional Reading Materials: * Court House Safety Report: Access, Safety, and Regional Context: A Comprehensive Assessment of BC Court Locations [https://www.womenslegalcentre.ca/publications/access-safety-regional-context]  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 PRODUCTION: By Nithasha PremKumar 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 [http://www.womenslegalcentre.ca/]

S2 Episode 5: Protection Order Optimism

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, we zoom out to examine the growing failures of protection orders and the real‑world consequences for survivors. Drawing from Rise's protection order and housing research, the speakers explore how these legal tools are becoming harder to access, more limited in scope, and increasingly shaped by myths about risk, credibility, and “good” victimhood. We place these experiences in a wider context, showing that the problems in BC are not isolated, but part of a systemic pattern echoed across jurisdictions. The episode also begins to look forward, previewing calls for a more specialized, coordinated, and trauma‑informed approach, highlighting recent government policy signals that suggest meaningful reform may finally be on the horizon. Additional Reading Materials: * Rise report: Protection Orders in BC and the Urgent Need for a Specialized Process and Coordinated Reform [https://www.womenslegalcentre.ca/publications/protection-orders-in-bc] * Link to Law Commission of Ontario report: Improving Protection Orders in Family, Child Protection, and Civil Law [https://lco-cdo.org/en/publications/improving-protection-orders-in-family-child-protection-and-civil-law-consultation-paper/] 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 PRODUCTION: By Nithasha PremKumar 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 [http://www.womenslegalcentre.ca/]

S2 Episode 4: How Protection Orders Fail Survivors

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, we continue our exploration of the challenges survivors face when leaving abusive relationships by examining the legal protections designed to keep them safe, and why these tools often fall short. We break down the landscape of criminal protection orders, including how they're meant to be customized but frequently lack meaningful survivor input, and how their effectiveness is often tied to the status of criminal proceedings. We then turn to family law protection orders, unpacking the promise of the 2013 Family Law Act reforms and the realities that have followed. Throughout the conversation, the speakers name the myths and stereotypes that persist across these systems and the enforcement challenges that leave survivors without the protection they need. This episode sets the stage for our next conversation, where we'll explore recommendations for a more coordinated, specialized approach to protection orders. Additional Reading Materials: * Rise’s report: Protection Orders in BC and the Urgent Need for a Specialized Process and Coordinated Reform [https://www.womenslegalcentre.ca/publications/protection-orders-in-bc]   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 PRODUCTION: By Nithasha PremKumar 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 [http://www.womenslegalcentre.ca/]