Background
A woman left an abusive relationship almost 10 years ago, is currently facing legal and financial challenges that are preventing her from improving the safety of her home for a physical disability. Although she is the sole resident, her former partner’s name remains on property and vehicle documents. This legal tie is blocking her from accessing grant funding for essential home safety upgrades.
While she was approved for Legal Aid, she was later informed that Legal Aid does not handle property law—an area critical to resolving her situation. Unfortunately, she cannot afford private legal services at this time.
Needs Identified
- Access to a qualified translator for effective communication
- Upgrades to her home for safety reasons
- Legal assistance, especially concerning property ownership
- Financial support to navigate legal and living expenses
Support Provided
- Ongoing translator services to ensure clear communication
- Access to counselling services for emotional and psychological support
- Comprehensive advocacy, including help with phone calls, appointment coordination, court accompaniment, and communication with banks, CRA, and legal professionals
Barriers to Solutions
- Legal entanglements stemming from a past abusive relationship
- Ongoing communication challenges related to hearing loss
- Legal Aid limitations, specifically the lack of coverage for property law
- Financial hardship, restricting access to private legal advice and representation
Recommendations for Systemic Change
- Implementation of trauma-informed legal services that address the unique needs of survivors of abuse.
- Creation and promotion of free legal advice clinics or services specifically focused on property and family law.
- Increased cross-sector collaboration between legal, housing, and support services to prevent survivors from falling through systemic cracks.