Nicholas Bala on Untangling the Legal System to Better Support Survivors

Nicholas Bala is an internationally recognized expert on issues related to children, youth, and families in the justice system. He is a Distinguished University Professor at the Faculty of Law, Queen’s University. 

April 24, 2024: The justice system is complex, with family courts, criminal courts, and child protection courts all having a role in addressing issues of family violence.  The operation of these courts is often siloed, and communication between the professionals and agencies that operate in each is often inadequate. While there is increased awareness of the need to protect survivors and their children, too often there is lack of understanding and sensitivity in justice system responses, which may traumatize or endanger victims of family violence. 

After the enactment of the 2021 amendments to the Divorce Act, the federal government funded projects to promote implementation of reforms that would improve the legal system’s response to family violence. This included a multifaceted project of Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS) that is improving collaboration between family lawyers and domestic violence workers, as well as increasing the capacity of both professional groups to address the needs of survivors of family violence and their children. The project 

• hosted in-person and virtual educational programs for family lawyers and shelter staff, some for province-wide groups and others regionalized. 

• brought together individuals from both professional groups to improve communication, collaboration and mutual understanding.
• increased understanding of how legal reforms in the family justice system might better respond to family violence.  
• taught family lawyers about danger assessment and safety planning for their family law clients.
• provided shelter staff and leadership with a better understanding of how the justice system operates, to allow them to more effectively support survivors navigating the complex system. 

The project also produced an important educational film about the experiences of survivors in the justice system which is set to premiere at the NorthwestFest International Documentary Festival on May 15 (reserve your ticket here!). Survivors Speak will help educate the public and professionals about how family violence survivors experience the justice process.  This film shares deeply moving stories of the trauma often experienced by women who have experienced Intimate Partner Violence, first while living with their abusers and later in the justice system.  It will be an important resource in Alberta and elsewhere, including for professional education for students in law, social work, medicine and nursing. 

This work is so important, and I know that with more education and conversations we can build a better system that helps survivors move forward. To this end, I’m pleased to be leading a full day workshop to continue the discussions. You can find all registration details below. 

This workshop is FREE to ACWS Members and has limited availability. Sign up here to secure your spot.