S2 E5: Protection Order Optimism

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, we zoom out to examine the growing failures of protection orders and the real‑world consequences for survivors. Drawing from Rise's protection order and housing research, the speakers explore how these legal tools are becoming harder to access, more limited in scope, and increasingly shaped by myths about risk, credibility, and “good” victimhood. We place these experiences in a wider context, showing that the problems in BC are not isolated, but part of a systemic pattern echoed across jurisdictions. The episode also begins to look forward, previewing calls for a more specialized, coordinated, and trauma‑informed approach, highlighting recent government policy signals that suggest meaningful reform may finally be on the horizon.

Additional Reading Materials:

• Rise report: Protection Orders in BC and the Urgent Need for a Specialized Process and Coordinated Reform
• Link to Law Commission of Ontario report: Improving Protection Orders in Family, Child Protection, and Civil Law

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Everything that we have said today is not legal advice. If you or someone you know needs legal advice, please consult with a lawyer.

TRIGGER WARNING: Our podcast series will discuss difficult topics such as gender-based violence and intimate partner violence, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and financial abuse. Please be aware that this is a thread that is woven throughout all the episodes, and we hope you will take care of yourselves however you need.

MUSIC: Song "Crushing", performed by Reveille (license purchased for use)

GRAPHICS: By Melanie Ligale

PRODUCTION: By Nithasha PremKumar

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Rise is a community legal centre providing accessible legal services to self-identified women and gender diverse people in British Columbia since 2016. Our programs and services are aimed at providing limited legal services to economically disadvantaged clients, who are self-representing in their family law matters in BC.

For more information on our organization, visit Rise Women's Legal Centre