RESEARCH
Rise conducts original research into how family violence is addressed through BC’s Family Law Act (FLA) and family law system
Rise is a leading voice in the intersection between family violence and family law in BC. Since 2017, Rise has been undertaking community-based research projects to identify and magnify existing systemic and structural inequalities perpetuating gender inequality in the family law system.
Through our research we aim to start difficult conversations and amplify the voices of clients, support workers, and people who are directly impacted by the current legal system. One of our research priorities is to ensure the voices of survivors, and those who continue to experience family violence, are heard.
Our research projects
Rise started our first community-based research project in 2017. Over the years, we have produced a variety of reports on emerging and key issues. Our reports have highlighted the struggles survivors face in the family law system in BC, and made recommendations for how to improve family law to better support those who have experienced family violence. Research is one of our main avenues for driving systemic change, and our reports have been cited in many respected articles, journals, and reports, including the Canadian Journal of Family Law, the Journal of Family Trauma Child Custody & Child Development, the FREDA Centre, Western Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children, Canadian Bar Association of BC, Trial Lawyers Association of BC, and more. Our research was also cited in Dr. Kim Stanton’s 2025 report based on her independent systemic review of how BC’s legal system responds to sexual violence and intimate partner violence. Our research has been featured by CBC, Global News BC, CityNews 1130, the Globe and Mail, and the Tyee.
Current projects:
Courthouse Safety Project
Funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General, this research project expands on the recommendations outlined in our 2022 report, Creating Safety in BC Courts.
We are studying the safety measures in court locations across BC to call for more improvements to better protect survivors of gender-based violence as they navigate the BC court system. We hope our reports will contribute to the improvement of safety and accessibility to BC court locations for survivors. Our findings will become part of an upcoming public report. Part one of our research was published in March 2026.
If you are interested in collaborating with Rise on a research project, email development@womenslegalcentre.ca.
