Document Type
Report
Publication Date
7-2023
Abstract
This paper will focus on SRLs who are survivors of IPV and their experiences in family court in Ontario. Section 2 will begin by providing a background about IPV and SRLs in Ontario, narrowing down the focus of this paper to those in family court while explaining alternatives in criminal court. Section 3 will focus on the Woman, centring the experiences of survivors who self-represent. Who they are and why they self-represent are crucial questions to answer before making recommendations on how to improve their situation. Section 4, entitled the Court, will explore the actual court process and how difficult it can be for survivors. Drawing primarily from interviews, this section will highlight the many issues raised with court procedure including inefficiency, retraumatization, and perception. Section 5 moves into the Reality, looking at the long lasting impact that self-representation combined with IPV has on survivors. These take the form of social, psychological and physical effects. Finally, Section 6 of this paper will conclude with policy recommendations directed towards the Ontario and Superior Court of Justice on how to improve the justice system when it comes to SRLs who are survivors of IPV. Stemming from research and interviews, these recommendations will encompass all of the issues brought to our attention by survivors and provide practical suggestions on how to improve their experiences moving forward. Many recommendations will also be directed towards the officials in court as well like lawyers, judges, jury, social workers, and others who interact with these women throughout the process.