B.C. to expand legal supports for intimate-partner violence survivors

Survivors of intimate-partner and sexual violence in British Columbia will receive expanded help navigating the legal system as the province continues implementing recommendations from the Stanton Review.

Attorney General Niki Sharma said survivors should not have to face the justice system alone. She said the review found they need stronger support, more co-ordinated services and safer experiences throughout the legal process, and that the funding will expand critical supports, prevention efforts and access to services.

The federal government is providing more than $3 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year through the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence Fund. The money will go to B.C.'s Ministry of Attorney General to implement review recommendations. Kim Stanton conducted the provincially commissioned review, which examined how victims and survivors are treated in B.C.'s legal system and recommended ways to improve their experiences.

The province says funding will expand the Safe Supports Project for people in rural, remote and northern communities. It could include up to three additional family court support workers in regions yet to be identified, as well as a public-awareness campaign on available services and supports.

The province also plans to assess behaviour-change programs for men and boys to identify service gaps and effective prevention practices. Other work includes further training for justice-sector professionals under the B.C. First Nations Justice Strategy and an expansion of Indigenous Justice Centres' Aunties Program, which offers culturally grounded, wraparound supports for Indigenous victims and survivors.

B.C. says it now provides more than $60 million annually to about 475 victim-service and violence-against-women programs. Officials say they remain committed to implementing all Stanton Review recommendations through education, awareness and prevention investments addressing the root causes of violence.