In 2009, West Coast LEAF’s Family Law Project identified the need for capturing a snapshot of the existing legal resources for women in BC. Project staff conducted a survey of advocacy groups and women-serving community based organizations, and released a report recently added to the Reform and Research section of Clicklaw: Mapping the Gap: A Summary of Legal Resources for Women in British Columbia.
The report includes findings concerning gaps in legal information and resources for women, significant challenges with legal aid, and rural realities.
The Legal Services Society responded to “Mapping the Gap” in ELAN, the online legal aid newsletter for BC’s community workers. “Mapping the Gap” reflects misunderstandings about family law legal aid services and does not mention service improvements since 2009. The ELAN article provides information about our free services and resources, including: representation by a lawyer; family duty counsel and advice services; public legal education and information, and outreach; and expanded access to intake at locations around the province. Read the complete article at our website.
Follow up: if you do not see the link (hover over “website” in my last post), please copy and paste into your browser:
http://www.lss.bc.ca/elan/June_10/familyLegalAidAndMappingTheGap.htm