Let survivors know that you believe them and that you will support the decisions they make
It’s important that you let women lead: You can provide important information and contact details to women, but they are the experts in their own situation.
Take your lead from them. They will let you know what they need. Let them know that you believe them, that you don’t judge them and that you will support the decisions they make, whether or not they are the decisions you think you might have made.
We’ve created a checklist of questions to ask in your first meeting with a survivor to help you learn about the abuse she was subjected to and her family law issues.
Explaining the difference between legal information and legal advice
You will often provide women with information about family law and the family court process, which is of critical importance but is distinct and different from giving legal advice.
Workers must be clear with the client that they are providing information only, not legal advice.
This is, as you are likely aware, easier said than done. Despite your best efforts, the women to whom you are providing this information may not always understand the distinction between legal advice and legal information.
We’ve provided communication tips for explaining the difference between legal information and legal advice.
As much as possible, encourage women to speak with a lawyer to get the specific legal advice they need. See the resource for your province or territory for court-related services that may be able to connect survivors to lawyers. We also provide strategies for advocates when working with survivors and their lawyers.
Keep biases in check
It is also important to keep your own biases in check when talking about family law and family court process with a woman.
For example, no matter how much you personally think mediation is not appropriate in cases of intimate partner abuse, you need to be able to describe what mediation is objectively, point out pros and cons of mediation and then accept whatever decision the woman you are working with makes.