Family violence-family law amendments: From law reform to enhanced and collaborative practices (Advanced Seminar)
| Date & Time: | Thursday May 11, 2023 |
| Time: | 9:00 am-5:00 pm |
| Where: | The Pantages Hotel, 200 Victoria Street, Toronto ON, M5B 1V8 |
| Cost: | $150 (tax inclusive) |
On Thursday, May 11, 2023, Family Violence Family Law will host its premiere, invite-only, Advanced Seminar event.
The Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children at Western University has been working to address the need for timely, practical information on how to address family violence in family law proceedings, thanks to grants from Justice Canada and the Public Health Agency. Family lawyers have told us that there are still gaps in knowledge about assessing the impact of family violence, problem-solving about the level and nature of ongoing risk, and developing and presenting effective parenting plans in these cases.
This one day, invitation-only advanced seminar is an opportunity to come together with select family law lawyers and court-related professionals (assessors, social services, mediators) from all over the province, to identify the challenges in implementing family violence amendments to the Divorce Act and Children's Law Reform Act.
Registrations will open on: Wednesday, February 22, 2023, and close on April 30, 2023.
REGISTER NOWFeaturing Keynote by:
- The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, Former Chief Justice of Canada
- Peter G. Jaffe, Ph.D., C.Psych.
- Nicholas Bala, L.S.M., J.D., LL.M., F.R.S.C.
- Archana Medhekar, LL.B. LL.M., AccFM
- Katreena L. Scott, Ph.D., C. Psych.
Making Appropriate Parenting Arrangements in Family Violence Cases: Applying the Literature to Identify Promising Practices
Family law practitioners play a critical role in both educating parents and advocating for them to identify the most appropriate parenting arrangements after separation. This task is further complicated in cases that involve family violence allegations, especially now in the face of amendments to the Divorce Act that include family violence as a factor for the court to consider in determining children's best interests. Family law practitioners need the most up-to-date information about family violence and its impact on parents and children as well as practical and strategies in designing effective parenting plans. The presentation will include :
- Current research on family violence and separation including the importance of risk assessment
- Understanding the impact of family violence on the parenting of victims and abusers
- Understanding the impact of exposure to family violence on children
- Matching family violence circumstances to appropriate parenting time and decision-making
- Identifying community resources that may be needed to complement different parenting plans
- Beoming aware of recent case law that addresses family violence and parenting
Seminars Include:
| Intersectional Understanding of Coercive Control | Representation without escalation: legal representation for alleged abusers | Herding courts: Parallel proceedings in Family law and other courts |
| Reducing Barriers to Family Justice | Fireside Chat | Changes in legislation |
| Making Appropriate Parenting Arrangements in Family Violence Cases: Applying the Literature to Identify Promising Practices | Children’s rights and voice: critical issues for family court proceedings | Getting social sciences evidence in front of the court |
| Trauma and Violence informed practices in courts | Closing remarks |
Keynote Speaker Bios
Peter G. Jaffe is a Psychologist and Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Education at Western University and the Director Emeritus of the Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women & Children. He is the Director Emeritus for the London Family Court Clinic. (More here https://www.edu.uwo.ca/faculty-profiles/peter-jaffe.html )
Nicholas Bala is the William R. Lederman Distinguished University Professor of Law at Queen,s University and an internationally recognized expert on issues related to children, youth, and families in the justice system, including research focusing on issues related to parental separation issues. His work is frequently cited by Canadian courts. (More here https://law.queensu.ca/directory/nicholas-c-bala )
Archana Medhekar is a Certified Family Law Specialist and Accredited Family Mediator-Arbitrator. She is a legal panel member for the Office of the Children,s Lawyer and teaches at York University's Family Mediation Program. Her practice involves complex cultural family conflicts and gender-based violence issues involving vulnerable populations including immigrants, refugees, women, and children. Her interdisciplinary research has focussed on barriers faced by diverse ethno-cultural communities in accessing the justice system.
Katreena Scott is a Professor and Canada Research Chair in Ending Child Abuse and Family Violence in the Faculty of Education at Western University. She is the Academic Director of the Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children at Western University. She leads an applied research program aimed at ending violence in family relationships, with specific expertise in addressing violence perpetration in men. (More here https://www.edu.uwo.ca/faculty-profiles/katreena-scott.html )
The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin is a former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada and was the first woman in Canada to serve as Chief Justice of Canada. She has received over 35 honorary degrees from universities in Canada and abroad, and numerous other honours and awards. In addition to her judicial duties at the Supreme Court, she has chaired the Canadian Judicial Council, the Advisory Council of the Order of Canada and the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute. She is the author of numerous articles and publications.
