Family Violence 101

An introduction to family violence in family law

This 2-hour course covers family violence, its signs, and effects. It helps legal professionals support clients safely and effectively and provides practical tips on trauma-informed care and accessing legal and support services.

verified 2.0 CPD
play_lesson 2 hours of content
local_offer CA$250

Family Violence 101, presented by Andrea Bryson and Frances Rosner, is a two-hour training designed for all legal professions, including lawyers, advocates, and students.

The course explores family violence through a gender-based analysis, examines the definition of family violence pursuant to the Family Law Act, reviews the protection measures available to survivors under the Family Law Act, and discusses various tools and approaches to screen for family violence.

There are various quiz questions and reflection questions throughout the training. The training also provides supplemental materials for legal professionals to reflect on and incorporate into their practice. 

• Course Curriculum

  1. Introduction

  2. Understanding Abuse

  3. Family Law Act (FLA) & Family Violence

  4. HELP Toolkit

  5. Screening for Family Violence

  6. Supplemental Materials

• Learning Objectives

  1. Define and recognize various forms of abuse and their impacts on individuals and families.

  2. Interpret and apply family violence provisions under the Family Law Act (FLA) in client-focused practice.

  3. Identify and implement strategies to enhance safety and protection for at-risk family members.

  4. Evaluate safety considerations in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes involving victims of family violence.

  5. Apply Department of Justice (DOJ) tools and resources to support effective family violence screening and intervention.

  6. Demonstrate the effective use of family violence screening tools through role-modelled practice scenarios.

  7. Analyze screening frameworks to identify language, techniques, and examples that support clear and effective communication about family violence.

  8. Create practical examples and client-centered language to explain different forms of family violence in accessible and culturally responsive ways.

• About the Instructors

  Andrea Bryson (she/her) is a social worker, educator, and advocate with nearly 20 years of experience supporting people from diverse communities as they navigate complex legal systems. Her work focuses on increasing access to justice through interdisciplinary approaches that integrate legal advocacy, education, and social work practice. Andrea has developed innovative access-to-justice programs, authored and co-authored public legal education guides, and delivered hundreds of workshops and trainings for clients, advocates, students, and legal professionals. She holds a Masters of Social Work from UBC..

  Frances Rosner (she/her) is a Métis lawyer who practices primarily in family and child protection. Prior to being called to the bar in 2016, she worked as a Gladue report writer and educator. Frances has always been highly focused on legal issues involving Indigenous Peoples. In her professional life, she has had the privilege of working closely with Indigenous peoples and communities across Canada and she has heard their sacred stories. It is through this lens that Frances advocates for reconciliation and the decolonization of our justice system.

We offer special student and group pricing to support your learning.
Reach out to education@womenslegalcentre.ca to find out more.

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