B.C. non-profit now offering free legal advice to sexual assault survivors

It starts with a phone call.

If you have experienced sexual assault in British Columbia, you can now reach out to a non-profit society for free, confidential legal advice.

The Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS) officially launched its Stand Informed services Tuesday. The program includes three hours of confidential legal advice for survivors, regardless of their age, gender or income and whether or not they have reported the assault to police.

People can also contact CLAS if they are unsure what happened to them was sexual assault. After a brief informational call, clients will be connected with legal counsel, the society says.

"We try to take a trauma-informed approach in our work, so you don't have to disclose too many details on the initial call — you can wait until you have an opportunity to speak to a lawyer," said Jennifer Khor, the society's supervising lawyer and Stand Informed's project manager.

Khor told CBC's The Early Edition on Tuesday that 37 per cent of women over the age of 15 have experienced sexual assault in B.C. and less than nine per cent of people seek support from victim services.

According to 2021 data from Statistics Canada, the rate of police-reported sexual assault in the country has reached its highest level since 1996 — and only about six per cent of sexual assaults are reported to the police.

Staff at CLAS are trained to not apply pressure to take legal action, says Khor, who wants callers to know there is no time limit if they decide they want to file a criminal or civil complaint at a later date.

"You don't have to do anything if you don't want to, but we are here to support you if you do," she said.

The Criminal Code of Canada defines sexual assault as intentional sexual touching without consent. Consent must be expressed freely and be ongoing and can be revoked at any time. 

Multiple studies by Statistics Canada show women — especially young women — Indigenous women, and people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and two-spirited disproportionately experience sexual assault

CLAS received funding from the federal justice department and is contracted by B.C.'s Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to offer legal advice services.

"British Columbians should feel safe in their communities. People who experience gender-based violence need to be able to access the support they need when and where they need it," said Kelli Paddon, parliamentary secretary for gender equity, in a written statement.

In July, the B.C. government committed to providing stable annual funding to 68 sexual assault programs across the province, as it sets new standards for police to collaborate with victim services workers during investigations.

According to CLAS, people don't report assaults because of police distrust and fear they will not be taken seriously.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth has said new policing standards will include a review of closed cases and will involve "supervisory oversight" of investigations to ensure officers are impartial and "trauma informed."

Any person who experiences sexual assault in B.C. and lives in the province can call CLAS directly at 604-673-3143 or email [email protected] to access its services.

The society works with lawyers across the province and arrangements can be made to meet with legal counsel either in person, virtually of via phone. All conversations are protected by solicitor-client privilege.