A Primer on Financial Abuse

Recognize financial abuse, protect financial independance.

This 1.5-hour webinar examines how financial abuse and coercive control arise in family law practice. Participants will develop practical skills to identify warning signs, screen for financial abuse, respond effectively to client disclosures, and address legal considerations related to protecting property and assets.

verified1.5 CPD Credit - Eligible for 0.5 Ethics/Practice Management
play_lesson 1.5 hours
local_offer CA$175

Financial abuse is one of the most common yet least recognized forms of abuse. It can have profound and long-lasting impacts on a person's financial security, independence, and ability to leave an abusive relationship. In this live session, participants will explore how financial abuse and coercive control manifest in practice, learn to identify warning signs, and develop effective strategies for responding to client disclosures.

The session will cover practical screening techniques, common indicators of financial abuse, and legal considerations for protecting property and assets. Through real-world examples and actionable guidance, participants will gain the knowledge and confidence to recognize financial abuse, support affected clients and take meaningful steps to safeguard their interests.

“Many legal professionals encounter financial abuse without realizing it. This session will help you recognize the patterns, understand the legal and practical implications, and leave with concrete tools you can use right away to better support your clients.”

— Gabrielle Clark, co-instructor.

• Course Curriculum

  1. Coercive Control vs. Financial Abuse

  2. Signs to Look For

  3. Screening for this kind of Abuse

  4. Protecting Property

  5. Financial Disclosure & Other Strategies

  6. Additional Supports

• Learning Objectives

  1. Analyze the dynamics of financial abuse and coercive control in family law contexts.

  2. Apply practical screening and identification techniques to recognize financial abuse early.

  3. Implement evidence-based strategies to protect clients' financial interests and independence.

  4. Evaluate complex case scenarios and detect nuanced indicators of financial abuse with greater confidence and accuracy.

• About the Instructors

  Gabrielle Clark (she/her) is a Staff Lawyer at Rise Women’s Legal Centre, where she provides unbundled and summary legal services to clients. Gabrielle was called to the bar in 2017 and worked in private practice before joining Rise in 2022. She holds a JD from the University of Victoria, as well as a BA in women’s studies and BFA (Hons) in visual art from the University of Calgary. Gabrielle has worked nearly exclusively in family law since her articling days and has experience at all levels of court in BC. She has worked on a wide range of complex legal issues, including many cases involving family violence. Gabrielle is passionate about making legal services more accessible and feels privileged to support clients as they navigate the family law system in BC.

  Shannon Glenn (she/her) is a Family Law Advocate at Rise Women's Legal Centre providing direct support and assistance to clients in the Lower Mainland. She has a background in Social Work and is passionate about increasing access to justice for low-income women and gender diverse people who may face multiple barriers, navigating the family law system. Shannon is proud to contribute to the work that Rise does to combat gender-based violence at both the personal and the systemic level, including the opportunity to provide insight to other legal professionals about challenges their clients may be facing.

“This presentation lays the foundational groundwork for defining, understanding and identifying financial abuse in family law matters, and also provides a fulsome review of the legal pathways and practical supports that you can offer your client where financial abuse is present. I especially appreciated the review of current relevant caselaw and the very practical referral sources and explanations for additional supports we can be bring to our clients' attention."

- Senior Lawyer feedback

“The presentation highlighted the importance of addressing financial abuse early and provided many practical tips to do so. I found the content approachable and enjoyed learning about creative solutions outside of a courtroom that might help clients alongside legal remedies.”

- Advocate feedback

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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