OUR WORK
Rise Women’s Legal Centre was founded in 2016. We are a registered charity (Charity Registration number: 76336 8099 RT0001) and non-profit organization.
We are a community legal centre providing accessible legal services that are responsive to the unique needs of self-identifying women and gender diverse clients, primarily in the area of family law. Rise clients are often caught in the gap between being ineligible for legal aid yet unable to afford legal representation.
Approximately 80% of our clients have experienced family violence.
In addition to serving clients, we are a knowledge based and knowledge generating organization and work collaboratively with organizations around the province. We:
provide compassionate and trauma informed legal assistance to our clients,
train lawyers and support workers on how to assist clients who have experienced family violence,
conduct research into how family violence is addressed through BC’s Family Law Act (FLA) and family law system, with the goal of seeking to improve the experience of survivors in BC.
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“The opportunity to discuss my case including the abuse made me feel heard for the first time (in the legal realm). This appointment may well have saved my life because of the hope you gave me. I will forever be grateful.”
— Client feedback
We envision a future where all self-identified women and gender diverse people in BC have access to a just and equal legal system.
Our guiding values
Our work is client centred.
We work from a client centred perspective that emphasizes the agency of our clients and treats them as the experts in their own lives. We are compassionate, kind, and responsive to the changing needs of the community.
Our work is inclusive of women and people of marginalised genders of all backgrounds.
Our work is informed by our understanding that women, trans, Two-Spirit, & non-binary people’s identities are interconnected and that their experiences of sexism, racism, colonialism, ableism, transphobia and other systems of oppression are a critical consideration when providing services. We embrace and promote equity, diversity, inclusion, feminism, anti-racism and cultural respect within our leadership and staff, and in the legal profession and justice sector.
Our work is strengthened through collaboration.
We work with other non-profits, client-serving organisations, and with legal organisations and professionals collaboratively. We know that there is strength in working together, and that collaboration is key to providing the best possible services for our clients, and for working towards a just and equal legal system.
Our work is driven by our commitment to access to justice.
We strive to improve the current justice system in BC and advocate for systemic change. We are adaptive and use data to inform service provision, to advocate for clients, to change the law, and to support access to a legal system that is inclusive and just.
How to support our work?
Rise Women’s Legal Centre is a registered charity.
#76336 8099 RT0001
A tax receipt will be issued for every donation in any amount.
We accept donations online, through cheque or e-transfer.
Cheques can be sent to:
Rise Women’s Legal Centre
PO Box 3761
Vancouver PO Terminal, BC V6B 3Z1
Questions about donating and giving?
Email development@womenslegalcentre.ca or
Call (604) 757 5002
“Rise Women’s Legal Centre has been an incredible resource and support system for me during my challenging time. From the moment I reached out for assistance, their team of dedicated professionals demonstrated a genuine commitment to helping me navigate the legal complexities I was facing. Not only did they provide resources to receive expert legal guidance and representation but they also offered empathy, compassion, and unwavering support throughout the entire process. Their dedication to advocating for women's rights and empowering individuals like myself is truly commendable.”
— Client feedback
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