Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women

On November 28, 2025, Rise made a submission in response to the study of section 810 of the Criminal Code (Peace Bonds) being conducted by the Standing Committee on the Status of Women (FEWO).

Our submission talks about our past research project, Protection Orders in BC and the Urgent Need for a Specialized Process and Coordinated Reform, and our plain language guide, Seeking a Peace Bond: A Guide. In our submission, we recommend the committee speaks with many different people working within the legal system, including police, Crown, criminal and family lawyers, court staff, as well anti-violence experts. We also highlight that the lack of understanding of family violence within the legal system puts survivors at risk. We ask that the committee recognizes the current barriers that exist that can prevent survivors from being able to access Peace Bonds and can impact their safety.

Read the full submission here.