Legal Resources

The Provincial Court handles many types of family matters including parenting arrangements, spousal and child support and their enforcement, child protection, adult guardianship (protection of abused or neglected adults), and child abduction by a parent.

This booklet is designed to help children who have experienced sexual abuse. It outlines why a child should tell about the abuse and who should be told. It explains how family members might react and what social workers and police do when they are told about sexual abuse.

Booklet explains when to report child abuse and neglect, and what to report. Includes what child abuse and neglect is, warning signs, what to do if a child tells you about the abuse, and what to do if you suspect abuse. It also explains what to expect when you make the report and what happens next.

Information about where to report child abuse, the duty to report abuse and suspected abuse, how to report, what to report, and what happens next.

Provides information about what you can do if there is a child protection concern in your family and contacts for getting legal help. It also explains your role as a relative in a child abuse case, such as being involved in developing a comprehensive plan of care and providing a safe home for the child.

Describes Parents Legal Centres (PLCs), a Legal Aid BC service that provides a free lawyer and an advocate to help parents address child protection issues early on. The service is available to eligible parents any time after the social worker contacts them.

Describes the role of mediators in the child protection process, how they can help Aboriginal families, and how to find a mediator. Mediators are professionals who are specially trained to help people reach an agreement. They are also trained to not take sides.

Provides definitions of child abuse according to the law, the warning signs of child abuse, and what to do when a child tells you about it. Includes tips about keeping children safe and where to get help.

This chapter provides an overview of the ways that criminal law, tort law, and the Family Law Act can address issues of family violence, including through peace bonds and protection orders. It also takes a brief look at some child protection issues.

Children and youth experience various types of crime in various contexts, such as child abuse, bullying, and dating violence. This information sheet is part of the Help Starts Here series and provides information for parents and other family members whose child has been a victim of crime.