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

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.

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?

Music: Song "Crushing", performed by Reveille (license purchased for use)

Graphics designed 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

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.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, we are joined by Stephanie Hodgson, who is a lawyer on the so-called Vancouver Island and shares an office with Moira the adopted border collie/Aussie shepherd/great Pyrenees mountain mutt. Stephanie is interested in the intersections of gender/sexuality and the law and currently practices in the areas of family and child protection or family policing law.

The episode explores using screening tools for clients experiencing family violence; the purpose of screening tools and challenges with using screening tools. The episode discusses best approaches that have worked for the guest speaker in their over a decade of practice.

Music: Song "Crushing", performed by Reveille (license purchased for use)

Graphics designed 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