Summary

• Victims and survivors of intimate-partner and sexual violence will have new and expanded supports to navigate B.C.’s legal system
• The expanded supports are possible through more than $3 million in funding the Ministry of Attorney General, received under the federal government’s National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence
• Funding will help strengthen Indigenous justice initiatives, improve justice-sector responses and advance public awareness of intimate-partner violence

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Victims and survivors of intimate-partner and sexual violence will soon have access to new and expanded supports to help them navigate B.C.’s legal system, which is part of the Province’s response to the Stanton Review.

“No one who has experienced intimate-partner or sexual violence should have to navigate the justice system alone,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General. “The Stanton Review made it clear that survivors need better support, more co-ordinated services and safer experiences throughout the legal process. This funding will help expand critical supports, strengthen prevention efforts and ensure people can access the services they need when they need them.”

Through the federal National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence (NAP), the Ministry of Attorney General is receiving more than $3 million in funding for 2026-27 to advance initiatives that support recommendations from the 2025 Stanton Report.

The review, led by Kim Stanton and commissioned by the attorney general, examined how victims and survivors of intimate-partner and sexual violence are treated within B.C.’s justice system and provided system-wide recommendations to improve it.

Investing in key supportive, preventative measures

The funding will help expand survivor supports, strengthen justice-sector capacity and improve efforts to prevent violence before it occurs.

Investments include:

• expanding the Safe Supports Project, which helps people affected by intimate-partner violence navigate family-law processes in rural, remote and northern B.C. communities
• funding will help add as many as three family court support workers in additional locations that are still to be determined
• developing a public-awareness strategy that better educates and informs people about intimate-partner violence and available supports
• reviewing behaviour-change programs for men and boys to identify service gaps, highlight promising practices and strengthening intervention and prevention efforts
• advancing the B.C. First Nations Justice Strategy, including training for justice-sector professionals on intimate-partner violence and gender-based violence
• funding will also help expand the Indigenous Justice Centres' Aunties Program, which provides culturally grounded, wraparound supports for Indigenous victims and survivors

Together, these investments support several key Stanton Report recommendations, including strengthening prevention and public education, expanding supports for survivors, enhancing family-law services, advancing Indigenous justice initiatives and improving intervention programs for men who use violence. The funding helps advance a more co-ordinated, trauma-informed and survivor-centred approach to addressing intimate-partner and sexual violence in B.C.

Part of a broader provincial response

The NAP funding builds on other provincial investments under Safe and Supported: B.C.’s GBV Action Plan, such as expanding access to safe housing for women leaving violent situations, improving rural cellphone service to make travel safer and investing in skills training and affordable child care to support women’s economic independence.

The Province provides more than $60 million annually to support approximately 475 victim-service and violence-against-women programs throughout B.C.

By investing in education, awareness and other prevention efforts, the Province is working to address the root causes of violence, break the cycle of harm, strengthen community safety and reduce long-term pressures and costs across the health, social, child-welfare and justice systems.

Quotes:

Rechie Valdez, federal Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)

“Gender-based violence is a violation of human rights, and in many cases, a violation of Canadian criminal law. Ensuring victims and survivors of gender-based violence and their families can access a justice system that responds to their experiences with care and understanding is an integral part of the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence. Together, with provinces and territories, including British Columbia, the federal government will continue working to ensure all victims and survivors can access trauma-informed supports, no matter where they live.”

Jennifer Blatherwick, parliamentary secretary for gender equity –

“Ending gender-based violence requires sustained action, strong partnerships and long-term investments in prevention, intervention and survivor supports. Federal funding through the National Action Plan bilateral agreements is helping advance Safe and Supported: B.C.’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan and act on key recommendations from the Stanton Review. This work is strengthening services for survivors and helping build safer, more inclusive communities throughout British Columbia.”

Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Health –

“Ending gender-based violence means engaging men not only as bystanders, but as partners in prevention. As we advance our efforts to respond to the Stanton Report, we need to identify ways we can engage men – especially young men – as intervenors, allies and agents of change. Together, we can address harmful behaviours before they escalate, encourage positive role modelling and strengthen efforts to keep individuals, families and communities safe.”

Hemas Kla-Lee-Lee-Kla, Kory Wilson, chair, B.C. First Nations Justice Council –

“The Aunties Program demonstrates what is possible when you meet clients where they are and empower Indigenous women to lead with culture and compassion. In a short time, the Aunties have become trusted supports for clients, families and communities, filling critical gaps through holistic, culturally grounded support. We are deeply grateful for the investment in this program, which enables us to sustain this vital work in community.”

Quick Facts:

• B.C. received $62 million in the first round of NAP funding (2023-24 to 2026-27), to support cross-governmental initiatives that help prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
• Eight other ministries have received NAP funding, including the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
• Over the past four years, more than 96% of NAP funding has gone toward community services, First Nations and Indigenous organizations to increase capacity to support survivors and enhance access to services, as well as funding for prevention and education campaigns. 
• In July 2026, the federal government announced a further four-year $607.4-million investment, beginning in 2027-28, to continue the implementation of the NAP. 

Learn More:

• To learn more about the Stanton Report and the Province’s actions responding to it, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/about-bcs-justice-system/justice-reform-initiatives/systemic-review
• To learn more about Safe and Supported: B.C.’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/30035
• To learn more about the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/gender-based-violence/intergovernmental-collaboration/national-action-plan-end-gender-based-violence.html
• To read more about B.C.’s Safe Supports Project, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/33669
• To learn more about how B.C. is keeping people safe and communities strong, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/safecommunities