Stand Informed Foundational Training
In 2023, CLAS offered a series of webinars as part of the foundational training for roster lawyers providing advice to people who experienced sexual assault. Several sessions were delivered through our partnership with Courthouse Libraries and the recorded webinars are available for viewing.
See also Resources for Stand Informed Lawyers and information on the service.
See also Resources for SHARP Workplaces Lawyers and SHARP Workplace Lawyer Training for resources and training offered to workplace sexual harassment lawyers from 2020-2024.
Civil Claims for Sexual Assault (May 2023 – 1.5 hours)
This presentation provides an overview of the challenges and complexities of pursuing a civil claim for sexual assault and issues to consider when representing a survivor/complainant of sexual assault. Our presenter, Megan Ellis, KC, discusses understanding and assessing the claim, the evidence required, common issues of privacy that arise, and damages available. She also highlights best practices in working with and supporting clients through the process.
The presenter is Megan Ellis, KC, Megan Ellis & Company.
Participants viewing this webinar may claim up to 1.5 hours of CPD with the Law Society of BC.
Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence Training (May 2023 – 6 hours)
Ending Violence Association of BC facilitated two online workshops on the topic of Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence. The first day covered: the social context of sexual violence, the impact of sexual violence on survivors, options for survivors, and supporting survivors. The second day covered: drugs, alcohol and sexual assault, community-based services, and vicarious trauma, self-care and wellness.
The presenters were Wendy Potter and Kate Rossiter, Ending Violence Association of BC.
These sessions were only open to roster lawyers and not recorded. Participants who attended may claim CPD hours with the Law Society of BC:
- Day 1 – 3 hours total, including 1 hour for professional responsibility and ethics, client care and practice management; and
- Day 2 – 3 hours total, including 0.5 hour for client care and practice management.
Human Rights Complaints: When is it an option in situations of sexual assault? (June 2023 – 1 hour)
Human rights legislation provides fundamental protection against discrimination, based on a number of protected grounds. Understand the grounds and contexts for which the Human Rights Code may provide an avenue to address sexual assault and the protections human rights legislation provides to pursue accommodations which may be necessary for survivors of sexual assault. Learn how such complaints are handled by the BC Human Rights Tribunal: elements to prove discrimination, the process, and remedies.
The presenter is Laura Track, Director of CLAS’s Human Rights Clinic.
Participants viewing this webinar may claim up to 1 hour of CPD credit with the Law Society of BC.
Sexual Assault Prosecutions (June 2023 – 3 hours)
This presentation provided an overview of the prosecution process for sexual assault and relevant criminal law. The presenters discussed issues to consider in providing advice to complainants from the Crown perspective. Disclosure, testimonial accommodations, s.276 and s. 278.3 applications (sexual history and records), victim impact statements, and communications with media were discussed.
The presenters were Janet Dickie and Debbie Granger, BC Prosecution Service.
This presentation was only open to roster lawyers and not recorded. Participants who attended may claim 3 CPD hours, including 0.5 hours for professional responsibility and ethics, with the Law Society of BC.
Advising Complainants in Criminal Sexual Assault Cases (June 2023 – 1.5 hours)
Complainants of sexual assault face a daunting journey through the criminal law process. Assisting a complainant to understand the process, what to expect, and when they may be able to obtain legal representation through Legal Aid BC, may help complainants decide whether to make a complaint and navigate the process. In this presentation, Gwendoline Allison shares her experience as complainant’s counsel, and discusses issues of publication bans, third party records, sexual history, and privacy issues.
The presenter is Gwendoline Allison, Barton Thaney Law.
Participants viewing this webinar may claim up to 1.5 hours of CPD credit with LSBC.
Immigration Issues in Cases of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment (June 2023 – 1 hour)
Immigration concerns may arise for complainants of sexual assault and sexual harassment. Clients may not be aware of their rights to bring a complaint or pursue legal options, and have concerns about any impacts on their immigration status. Clients who are international students, temporary foreign workers, migrant workers, refugees, sponsored immigrants, trafficked persons, may have particular issues in maintaining their status and accessing supports they need to deal with the impacts of sexual assault or sexual harassment.
The presenter is Kamaljit Lehal, Lehal Law.
Participants viewing this webinar may claim up to 1 hour of CPD credit with Law Society of BC.
Family Law for Sexual Assault (June 2023 – 1.5 hours)
In circumstances where a sexual assault may be perpetrated within a family or by a family relation, lawyers and advocates need to understand and advise on family law. This presentation offers an overview of family law issues to consider when advising a person who has experienced sexual assault. The presenters discuss the context of intimate partner violence, considerations when sexual assault/abuse of a child is raised, protection orders, the interplay of family law with other legal processes. Particular considerations when advising clients who identify as Indigenous, or with ethic, cultural or religious background, are discussed.
The presenters are Agnes Huang, Saltwater Law, and Frances Rosner, Rise Women’s Legal Centre.
Participants viewing this webinar may claim up to 1.5 hour of CPD credit with Law Society of BC.
Stand Informed Continuing Training
The Increasing Risk of Defamation Claims and Privacy Concerns (April 2023- 1.5 hours)
Since the #MeToo Movement more complainants have chosen to speak out about their experiences to the press or online. Defamation lawsuits are increasingly used to silence complainants or commentary on allegations of sexual harassment, misconduct and other types of complaints. Join us to learn how the law is rapidly evolving in this area, particular complexities in cases involving sharing comments online, and the realities of defamation lawsuits, limits of available defences, and anti-SLAPP legislation.
Presented by Daniel Reid and Roshni Veerapen, Harper Grey LLP.
Attendees may claim up to 1.5 hours of CPD credit with the Law Society of BC.
Complainants of workplace sexual harassment in a unionized environment often encounter multiple forums including grievance processes and arbitration, WorkSafe BC claims, human rights, civil and criminal proceedings. Assisting them to understand the different proceedings may help them prioritize their options and navigate the processes. In this presentation, Sara Hanson discusses the challenges and pitfalls of various employment processes, issues of overlapping jurisdiction, and general concerns in parallel proceedings. She also offers practical considerations for lawyers providing legal advice to clients, and how best to support the client navigate their options.
The presenter is Sara Hanson, Senior Associate, Moore Edgar Lyster LLP.
Participants viewing this webinar may claim up to 1.5 hours of CPD with the Law Society of BC.
Cultural Competency and Trauma-Informed Approaches for Working with Indigenous Clients (November 2023 – 1.5 hours)
Employing Indigenous-centred and trauma-informed approaches is essential to assisting Indigenous clients facing workplace sexual harassment situations. To be effective, lawyers must be able to understand the diversity, complexities, and intersectionality of Indigenous people. In this presentation, Karen Snowshoe, KC, discussed intercultural competency, trauma-informed advocacy, Indigenous Reconciliation and how to identify appropriate jurisdiction for workplace sexual harassment claims. She also offered her perspective as a BC Human Rights Tribunal Member hearing sexual harassment complaints, and provided practice tips for lawyers providing legal advice to clients engaged in mediation/settlement process at the Tribunal, and how to prepare clients for these processes.
The presenter was Karen L. Snowshoe, K.C., Snowshoe Law.
Participants who attended this webinar may claim up to 1.5 hours of CPD credit with the Law Society of BC.
The webinar recording is available to roster lawyers only. Roster lawyers: please contact us for the link.
Providing limited scope legal services to SHARP Workplaces clients in workplace sexual harassment situations engages special considerations, especially when advising self-represented clients – unionized and non-unionized – who are navigating workplace investigations. In this 1.5 hour interactive webinar, Jessica Forman discusses legal coaching practice tips in the context of workplace sexual harassment investigations: from initial interview with the clients to empowering them to identify their goals and navigate their options. This training session was structured as a meeting (not a webinar). Attendees were expected to participate in small groups during breakout room discussions.
The presenter is Jessica Forman, Employment Lawyer & Workplace Investigator, Forte Workplace Law
Participants may claim 1.5 hours (including .5 hours ethics) of CPD credit with the Law Society of BC if attending the live presentation including participatory group work, or 1 hour if viewing recording.
- Navigating Workplace Investigations: Legal Coaching slides
- Navigating Workplace Investigations: Legal Coaching case studies
Learn about who Workers’ Advisers Office (WAO) is, what they do, the advice and assistance provided to complainants of workplace sexual harassment claims, and when to refer clients to WAO in this webinar. This also covers Prohibited Action complaints under sections 47 and 48 of the Workers Compensation Act and parallel compensation claims, respective timelines to file the complaints with WorkSafeBC, the evidence required, how to appeal or request a review of WorkSafeBC decision, how the complaints may be resolved and types of remedies.
The presenter is Christina Dorsch, Regional Manager, Workers Advisers Office.
Participants viewing this webinar may claim up to 1.5 hours of CPD credit with the Law Society of BC.
This is the second of two-part sessions by Workers’ Advisers Office (WAO) on assisting clients with mental disorder claims under section 135 of the Workers Compensation Act. Anette Hoffer, Workers’ Adviser at WAO, discusses some historical highlights of legislative changes, and how they have affected the adjudication of mental disorder claims. Anette also addresses the common areas of denial in mental disorder claims with specific focus on bullying and harassment, how to assist clients navigate the mental disorder claims process, and preparing records and obtaining evidence that demonstrate the workplace bullying and harassment was a significant stressor for WorkSafeBC reviews or appeals.
The presenter is Anette Hoffer, Workers’ Adviser, Workers Advisers Office BC.
Participants viewing this webinar may claim up to 1.5 hours of CPD credit with the Law Society of BC.
Join us for an interactive overview of specific employment and civil law responsibilities for employers, available remedies for complainants of workplace sexual harassment claims, the challenges and complexities of pursuing these claims, and how best to advise and prepare clients to navigate the intersecting processes. Rose Keith, KC, discusses understanding and accessing various workplace sexual harassments civil claims, and identify what the common law remedies are and when those remedies are available. She also highlights best practices in working and supporting clients through the process. This training session involves a case study and include participatory polls.
The presenter is Rose Keith, KC, Partner, Harper Grey LLP.
Participants in this webinar may claim up to 1.5 hours of CPD credit with LSBC.
Silencing Non-Disclosure Agreements: Preventing the Harm they Cause (February 2024 – 1.5 hours)
Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) are being misused by employers, organizations to silence complainants of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, racial discrimination, and whistleblowers causing further harm. With the #MeToo movement, jurisdictions have introduced legislation to restrict the use of NDAs and companies have pledged not to use them. Join us for a panel discussion on the harms caused by NDAs, strategies and emerging case law, and legislative developments across Canada to address them.
The presenters are Dr. Julie Macfarlane, Emerita Distinguished Professor, University of Windsor, Co-Founder Can’t by my Silence, Jennifer Khor, Supervising Lawyer, SHARP Workplaces and Stand Informed, CLAS, and Clea Parfitt, Lawyer, Clea F. Parfitt.
Participants in this webinar may claim up to 1.5 hours of CPD credit with LSBC.
- Silencing Non-Disclosure Agreements – Preventing the Harm they Cause – Slides Part 1
- Silencing Non-Disclosure Agreements – Preventing the Harm they Cause – Slides Part 2
Unionized employees who experience workplace sexual harassment, including sexual assault, may have concerns about how their union is supporting them during workplace sexual harassment investigations and grievance processes. In this 1.5 hour webinar, Jennifer Glougie, Chair and Jennifer O’Rourke, Staff Lawyer, discuss what the BC Labour Relations Board (the Board) is and what its mandate is with respect to individual employee complaints, including those filed by individuals who experience workplace sexual harassment. The Board presenters discuss the rights under the BC Labour Relations Code that self-represented individuals most often access: specifically, s. 12 (duty of fair representation), s. 10 (internal union affairs), and s. 99 (review of workplace arbitration decisions). They provide practical information on related processes and legal framework, time limits, evidentiary proof, standard of proof, the relevant legal tests and the process for making applications for internal reconsideration of the Board’s decisions.
The presenters are Jennifer Glougie, Chair, and Jennifer O’Rourke, Staff Lawyer, BC Labour Relations Board.
Participants in this webinar may claim up to 1.5 hours of CPD credit with LSBC.