Legal Aid & Pro Bono Services for Domestic Violence in Vancouver

Why this matters

Survivors of domestic violence deserve safety, legal protection, and access to justice—but navigating the legal system can be overwhelming. This guide brings together everything you need: how protection orders work in BC, how to access free or low-cost legal help in Vancouver, referrals to shelters and advocacy, and step-by-step paths to get help.

1. Protection Orders / Family Law Protection in BC

What is a Protection Order?
In BC, someone who has experienced family violence can apply for a family law protection order in either Provincial Court or Supreme Court. Such orders can:

• Stop a person from contacting or coming near you or your children

• Prevent them from attending your home, work, or school

• Prohibit harassment, stalking, or threatening behavior

• Order them to surrender weapons

• In some cases, allow police to accompany you to get your personal belongings
  (Family Law in BC)

You don’t always need to give notice to the other person if that would endanger you. After the order is made, service is required before it takes effect for the respondent.
(Family Law in BC)

Who qualifies / what relationships count
“Family violence” under BC law covers a wide range: relationships by marriage, cohabitation, dating, parent/child, or relatives living together. Emotional, financial, psychological abuse, stalking, and damage to property also count.
(Family Law in BC)

How to apply in Vancouver

• You may apply in Vancouver Provincial Court or Supreme Court as appropriate.

• The application for a protection order is free in Provincial Court.
  (Family Law in BC)

• You can also apply for the protection order simultaneously with other family law matters (like custody, support) if you already have a file in Supreme Court.
  (Family Law in BC)

• The protection order is registered in BC’s Protection Order Registry, allowing police 24/7 access to it.
  (Family Law in BC)

2. Main Legal Aid & Pro Bono Providers in Vancouver

Legal Aid BC

• Provides legal advice, representation, and coverage for people with low incomes in BC.
  (Legal Aid BC)

• In February 2024, BC reached a settlement increasing funding to Legal Aid for family law in cases of domestic violence, including a new trauma-informed family law clinic model and expanded eligibility.
  (Legal Aid BC)

• To apply or get help, call the Legal Aid BC call centre: 604-408-2172 in Greater Vancouver or 1-866-577-2525 elsewhere.
  (Legal Aid BC)

Rise Women’s Legal Centre

• A community legal centre in Vancouver offering free family law services to self-identified women and gender diverse people, especially survivors of violence.
  (Rise Women’s Legal Centre)

• They deliver services via Community Legal Clinic, Virtual Legal Clinic, and student legal clinics.
  (Family Law in BC)

• To access, fill their intake form, leave voicemail (236-317-9000), or email their clinic lines.
  (Family Law in BC)

Access Pro Bono

• Operates pro bono programs in BC, including summary legal advice clinics, a roster program for volunteer representation, and a superior court civil duty counsel project in Vancouver.
  (Access Pro Bono)

• Their free legal clinics help people who can’t get legal aid but need assistance in family, civil, or other matters.
  (Family Law in BC)

BWSS – Justice Centre at Battered Women’s Support Services

• BWSS offers legal advice, clinics, and representation in family law related to violence.
  (BWSS)

• Their Family Law Clinic provides volunteer-lawyer assistance, and they take full representation in select cases if capacity allows.
  (BWSS)

• They also help with immigration forms for survivors, MCFD/TRO (child protection) support, and court accompaniment.
  (BWSS)

YWCA Metro Vancouver – Legal Supports for Women

• YWCA provides a staff lawyer / legal educator to support women in YWCA housing who have experienced intimate partner violence, assisting with family law, immigration, and safety planning.
  (YWCA Metro Vancouver)

• They also host public legal education workshops (e.g. child support).
  (YWCA Metro Vancouver)

Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)

• A non-profit law firm in BC serving low- & moderate-income individuals, with programs in human rights, poverty law, and more.
  (CLAS)

• While not focused solely on domestic violence, CLAS is a valuable resource for legal assistance and referrals.
  (CLAS)

3. How to Qualify, Intake & What to Prepare

Eligibility filters / limitations

• Legal Aid BC uses income and asset criteria to determine eligibility.

• Some services (e.g. family law in general) are restricted; support for cases involving domestic violence gets priority under the new funding changes.
  (Legal Aid BC)

• Pro bono clinics often serve those who are not eligible for legal aid but can’t afford a lawyer.
  (Family Law in BC)

• Organizations may decline if they have a conflict or if case exceeds their capacity.

What to have ready (if safe)

• Safe contact details

• Details of the abusive person (name, address, relation)

• Evidence (texts, emails, voicemails, medical or police reports)

• Any existing orders or legal documents

• Financial documents to show income/assets

• Children’s info, custody/parenting details

What happens after intake

• You may get summary advice or limited help (filling forms, court prep)

• You may be referred to or accepted by legal aid or pro bono for full representation

• You may receive court accompaniment, safety planning, advocacy

• Clinics may schedule you for legal advice sessions or volunteer-lawyer help

4. Step-by-Step: What You Can Do to Get Protection

1. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911.

2. Contact Legal Aid BC (call centre) and explain your situation involves domestic violence—ask for priority service.
   (Legal Aid BC)

3. File a protection order in Provincial or Supreme Court (whichever is appropriate in Vancouver) via the family court / registry.
   (Family Law in BC)

4. Ask for an urgent / interim order (without notice) if you’re at risk.
   (Family Law in BC)

5. Serve the respondent properly. The court registry or sheriff’s office usually handles that.
   (Family Law in BC)

6. Prepare for your hearing—gather evidence, witnesses; request help from duty counsel or legal aid.

7. Attend the hearing and request a full order lasting up to one year or more, as the court deems fit.
   (Family Law in BC)

8. Enforce or renew / modify as needed. Keep a certified copy of the order and proof of service to present to police if breach occurs.
   (Family Law in BC)

5. Self-Help, Court, & Community Resources in Vancouver

• FamilyLawInBC – Free Services & Clinics
  BC’s legal information portal lists Family Duty Counsel, pro bono clinics, unbundled services, lawyer referral, and free legal clinics across BC, including Vancouver.
  (Family Law in BC)

• Access Pro Bono Free Clinics
  These clinics provide summary legal advice at community centres, courthouses, and agencies. They also run a roster of volunteer lawyers.
  (Family Law in BC)

• BWSS / Justice Centre legal clinics
  Regular clinics provide legal advice to women experiencing violence, with volunteer lawyers.
  (BWSS)

• Rise Women’s Legal Centre
  Drop-in clinics (1st & 3rd Wednesday) and virtual clinics across BC, including serving the Lower Mainland.
  (Family Law in BC)

• YWCA Vancouver legal support workshops
  Public workshops and legal support for YWCA housing residents affected by intimate partner violence.
  (YWCA Metro Vancouver)

• Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS) resources / referrals
  CLAS offers legal programs, self-help guides, and referrals which can assist survivors needing legal help.
  (CLAS)

• BC Government’s Domestic Violence Legal Support page
  Offers legal support pathways, guides, and violence prevention information for survivors across BC.
  (Government of British Columbia)

6. Hotlines, Shelters & Support Programs in Vancouver

• Domestic violence shelters / programs in Vancouver
  There are about 7 shelters and programs in Vancouver providing crisis support and emergency housing. A Safe Choice is one such Vancouver-based service.
  (DomesticShelters.org)

• Vancouver Rape Relief & Women’s Shelter
  A feminist transition house and crisis hotline operating in Vancouver for women escaping abuse.
  (Wikipedia)

• BWSS (Battered Women’s Support Services)
  In addition to legal work, they offer advocacy, counselling, court accompaniment, and support to Indigenous survivors.
  (BWSS)

• YWCA Metro Vancouver – Support & Education
  Legal support, workshops, and advocacy for survivors in YWCA housing and beyond.
  (YWCA Metro Vancouver)

• BC 211 / Referral Services
  For crisis support, referrals, and resource navigation (including legal, shelters, counselling).
  (West Coast LEAF)

7. Tips to Increase Success & Stay Safe

• When contacting legal aid or clinics, state clearly that your case involves family violence, so it may be prioritized.

• Reach out to multiple providers (Legal Aid, BWSS, Rise, Access Pro Bono) to compare capacity.

• Use safe communication (alternate phone, private email) to avoid being monitored.

• Gather and preserve evidence from the start (screenshots, emails, medical/therapy records).

• Ask for court accompaniment or safety planning support from advocacy groups.

• Keep copies of protection orders, proof of service, and ensure you carry them in safe places.

• Attend free legal clinics early to get guidance and connections to lawyers.

8. Quick Directory (Save & Share)

• Legal Aid BC — Call 604-408-2172 (Greater Vancouver) or 1-866-577-2525 (elsewhere) for legal aid applications and advice. (Legal Aid BC)

• Rise Women’s Legal Centre — Intake via online form, voicemail 236-317-9000, located in Vancouver. (Family Law in BC)

• Access Pro Bono (Lower Mainland / Vancouver) — summary legal advice and pro bono program. (Access Pro Bono)

• BWSS – Justice Centre — family law clinics and full representation for survivors. (BWSS)

• YWCA Metro Vancouver – Legal Supports — internal legal services for women in YWCA housing experiencing abuse. (YWCA Metro Vancouver)

• Vancouver Rape Relief & Women’s Shelter — 24h hotline, transition housing. (Wikipedia)

• CLAS (Community Legal Assistance Society) — legal help, referrals, self-help resources. (CLAS)

• Domestic violence shelters/programs (Vancouver) — A Safe Choice and others offering hotlines, emergency shelter. (DomesticShelters.org)

Disclaimer

This guide offers general informational content and does not constitute legal advice. Laws, eligibility, and resources change over time. Always verify details with the relevant legal provider, court, or advocacy group before proceeding.