Custody and Access
In this section you will find articles about custody and access and divorce law resources. As advocates working for and with battered women, we have come to know that the violence and threat of violence does not end at the point of separation. In fact, there is plenty of evidence from our work that demonstrates that the risk of abuse and death are heightened once she leaves.
One common way abusive men attempt to continue to control and bully women is through custody and access issues. Legal bullying is a particularly insidious form of post-separation violence. This is when the abuser uses the family law and the family court process as tools in his ongoing quest to continue to control and abuse his former partner.
Violence at this time often includes a wide spectrum of abusive behaviours, including physical assault, threats of physical violence, controlling behaviours and/or psychological abuse that are used by the abuser to make a woman reconcile or punish her for leaving.
Many abused women turn to family law and family court for assistance and support in making post-separation parenting arrangements as well as to resolve issues such as spousal and child support, property division or to get a restraining order. Unfortunatly many women discover that the the laws and processes of family court are designed to interfere with her attempts to escape her abuser and protect herself and her children.
Below you will find useful links and articles around the reform efforts to improve custody and access. If you are a woman currently requiring assistance with your own family court issue please call us at (604) 872-8212 or refer to the menu - give and get help.
British Columbia Family Relations Act
A Custody & Access Alert! Adhoc Custody and Access Coalition
From the Adhoc Custody and Access Coalition
Vancouver Lawyers Speaks Out about Cuts to Legal Aid
Cuts to Legal Aid Undermine Battered Women's Access to the Courts
Fight to Restore Funding to Legal Aid
Common Custody and Access Issues
Update of Bill C-22 by Pamela Cross
Privatized Justice No Justice for Women by Suzanne Jay
