Legal Resources

Find websites and materials written in plain language.

Thumbnail of the cover, with the title, a photo of a close-up of a woman's face with her hand on her cheek, and the YWCA logo.

Stopping the Violence: A Guide for Women Facing Domestic Violence

YWCA Vancouver
Brochure about abuse of women in relationships. Explains what abuse is and what the warning signs are, and provides resources for help and support.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with the word "Canada" and a small Canadian flag above the last "a."

Stalking Is a Crime Called Criminal Harassment

Government of Canada
Explains what type of behaviour counts as criminal harassment and what steps you can take to protect yourself. It also includes a list of local or provincial agencies that can offer support or helpful information.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the cover of the PDF version of the guide, with a scenic photograph of a mountainous landscape with a path running through a lush green valley.

JP Boyd on Family Law: Specific Communities and Family Law

John-Paul Boyd, KC
This chapter provides an overview of the ways some laws apply differently to specific communities regarding family law problems. It covers Indigenous families, newcomers to Canada, same-sex relationships, and issues affecting transgender and transsexual people.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the cover, with the title, the Government of Canada logo, and a design with a misshapen house crisscrossed with lines.

Abuse Is Wrong

Government of Canada
Contains information for those experiencing abuse in a relationship or in a family. It outlines what to do in case of an emergency and discusses the decision whether to leave or stay, and suggests where to get the help and support you need.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with two swoops and a circle to represent a person, and "Legal Aid BC."

Abuse & Family Violence

Legal Aid BC
Describes the challenges Aboriginal families and communities face when there’s abuse and family violence. Explains types of abuse that are against the law, and where victims can get help and support services. Includes information on who can stay in the family home on reserve.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo of the Community Legal Assistance Society, featuring a workmark in black text with a colorful abstract design on the left around another wordmark "CLAS" consisting of blue, green, purple, and orange shapes.

BC Human Rights Clinic: Frequently Asked Questions for Complainants

Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)
Answers questions commonly asked by those who have made a human rights complaint.
Last reviewed March 2024
The logo features a stylized infinity symbol, with the female symbol joined to the infinity symbol on the bottom left, and the male symbol joined to the infinity symbol on the top right. The words "Catherine While Holman Wellness Centre" are to the right of the female symbol.

Trans Rights BC: Know Your Rights

Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre
This project aims to spread human rights information that is accurate, accessible, and relevant to the safety and well-being of trans and gender-diverse individuals and their supportive allies across British Columbia. Topics include immigration, public spaces/services, sex work, and more.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the first page with the title, the text in three columns, an illustration of books and a gavel, and the organization logo.

Criminal Law and HIV Non-disclosure in Canada

Canada HIV/AIDS Legal Network
Three information sheets on the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure. Topics include the obligation to disclose HIV-positive status under Canadian criminal law, the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure in Canada and internationally, and public policy and community responses.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo is eight circles arranged in a circle, with an outer dotted border. The organization name is to the right.

Technology-Facilitated Violence: Preserving Digital Evidence Toolkit

BC Society of Transition Houses
This guide helps women and anti-violence workers preserve digital evidence in situations involving technology-facilitated violence against women. It includes the laws and best practices, tech-specific guides, info on courts, legal options for self-represented litigants, and tech-safety resources.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the cover of the PDF version of the guide, with a scenic photograph of a mountainous landscape with a path running through a lush green valley.

JP Boyd on Family Law: Overlapping Legal Issues

John-Paul Boyd, KC
This chapter provides information about a selection of relatively common legal questions that are also family law problems. It includes naming and changes of name, wills and estates issues, and conflict of laws.
Last reviewed March 2024