Breaking Barriers: Unveiling the National Score Card on Economic Abuse
Breaking Barriers: Unveiling the National Scorecard on Economic Abuse Press Release
Date: Tuesday, September 26th, 12:00 – 13:30 EST
The Canadian Center for Women’s Empowerment (CCFWE) is proud to present a groundbreaking event, “Breaking Barriers: Unveiling the Provincial-Territorial Scorecard on Economic Abuse.” Join us as we shed light on the often-overlooked issue of Economic Abuse and reveal an in-depth scorecard assessing legal frameworks and policies across Canadian provinces and territories.
Understanding Economic Abuse:
Economic abuse is a crucial facet of intimate partner violence that frequently remains unnoticed, leaving survivors without adequate support and protection. Our Provincial-Territorial Scorecard on Economic Abuse meticulously assesses existing laws, regulations, and policies, pinpointing gaps in our societal response to this form of abuse.
Engaging Panel Discussion:
Participate in a thought-provoking panel discussion exploring the intricate connection between legislation and Economic Abuse. Esteemed experts and activists will dissect the multifaceted harm caused by Economic Abuse within our communities, with a focus on how it exacerbates gender inequalities within provincial-territorial legislation.
Unveiling the National Scorecard:
A key highlight of this event will be the unveiling of the National Scorecard on Economic Abuse. This innovative project rates and ranks each province and territory based on crucial factors related to economic abuse, including legal definitions, workplace policies, financial protections, and more. This scorecard is a powerful tool to inform decision-makers, guiding urgently needed policy and legal changes to protect survivors of economic abuse.
Event Details:
This virtual event will take place on Tuesday, September 26th, from 12:00 to 13:30 EST. It provides a platform for policymakers, advocates, service providers, and stakeholders from across Canada to unite. Together, we aim to deepen our understanding of economic abuse policies and collaboratively work towards creating a more secure and empowering environment for survivors.
Provincial-Territorial Scorecard
The purpose of a scorecard for provincial-territorial laws relating to economic abuse is to assess and evaluate the effectiveness and comprehensiveness of existing laws and policies within a specific province in addressing economic abuse. The scorecard serves several key purposes:
- Measurement of Effectiveness: By scoring and rating the provincial laws, the scorecard allows policymakers and advocates to gauge the effectiveness of the current measures in addressing economic abuse. This assessment can highlight successful initiatives and areas that require strengthening.
- Identification of Gaps: The scorecard helps identify gaps in the legal response to economic abuse, such as loopholes or missing protections, which may leave victims underserved or unprotected.
- Advocacy Tool: The scorecard can be used as an advocacy tool by activists, organizations, and community groups to raise awareness about the importance of addressing economic abuse and pushing for legal reforms.
- Enhancing Support for Victims: Improving provincial laws can lead to better support and protection for victims of economic abuse. Stronger legal protections may provide victims with the means to seek help and access resources to escape abusive situations.
- Data Collection and Progress Monitoring: The scorecard helps collect data on the state of provincial laws related to economic abuse, allowing for ongoing monitoring of progress over time.
Register to Participate:
To participate in this vital conversation on economic abuse, please register for the event here.
Contact Information:
For inquiries or more information, please reach out to Natalie Snow at natalie.snow@ccfwe.org.
Panelists’ Profiles
Naomi Sayers
Naomi Sayers is a lawyer and Indigenous feminist, called to the Ontario (2018) and Alberta (2020) bars with nearly a decade of consulting experience. She worked in-house at one of Canada’s largest electricity providers. She has appeared at all levels of court in Ontario: federal court – trial and appeals; Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench; and various tribunals throughout Ontario.
Naomi represented Work Safe Twerk Safe, the first federally incorporated non-profit advocacy group dedicated to strippers’ rights to work safely in Canada. Her advocacy on their behalf resulted in a precedent-setting decision resulting in the Court recognizing the harms that sex workers experience in trying to access justice. That decision was also cited by the Supreme Court of Canada, affirming stigmatized groups’ right to privacy in litigation processes.
Naomi is a member of the Women in Canadian Criminal Defence, Criminal Lawyers’ Association and its Indigenous Committee; Canadian Bar Association and its Aboriginal Law section executive; the Law and Mental Disorder Association; the Ontario Bar Association’s Constitutional and Human Rights section executive, the Aboriginal Law section executive and the Women’s Lawyer Forum section executive.
All photo credits to Jessica Blaine Smith.
Samantha Davis
Samantha has her Master of Social Work from the University of Victoria and Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto in Criminology. Samantha is the Virtual Legal Advocate at Rise Women’s Legal Centre, where she works with clients around BC who need help with their family law matters. Samantha is passionate about creating access to justice and ending violence against women, trans, and gender-diverse folks, especially at the intersection of family law.
Samantha was born and raised on the unceded and ancestral lands of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, otherwise known as Vancouver.
Shelley Hounsell-Gray
Shelley Hounsell-Gray, K.C. has practiced family law for over 23 years and has worked in policy development and legal education. She enjoys working with people to find timely and affordable solutions to resolve their legal problems and recognize and promote children’s interests.
Shelley often presents at continuing education programs and enjoys sharing ideas and learning from others. She recently presented at the International Society of Family Law Conference, 18th World Conference Global Jubilee, in Antwerp, Belgium. She is an adjunct professor at the Schulich School of Law – teaching child protection law. She routinely collaborates with provincial and national advisory groups on law reform. She is the incoming chair of the National Family Law Subsection for the CBA, where she will facilitate discussions on ways to improve family law practice. Shelley is often called to present on family law at programs offered by the National Judicial Institute, the National Family Law Program (Canadian Federation of Law Societies), the Canadian Bar Association, Nova Scotia Legal Aid, and local and national community organizations. More recently, Shelley has been asked to develop website content for family law websites to improve access to justice in family law.
Shelley works in Bedford, NS, with Presse Mason Barrister and Solicitors and may be contacted at https://shorturl.at/lrKV6
