The Older Women’s Legal Education Project Krista James, Canadian Centre For Elder Law Alana Prochuk, West Coast LEAF

Presentation Goals for Today Support you to: Learn about some unique needs of older women fleeing abuse Consider the gender-based dimensions of elder abuse Be aware of resources that can support diverse older women

Presentation Roadmap Why did we collaborate to undertake this work? What did we learn? How can you use the Roads to Safety legal handbook and multilingual wallet cards in your practice? What are some other helpful resources?

We do: Legal research & writing Collaboration & consultation We develop: Law reform reports Materials to help people understand legal rights and responsibilities

Public Legal Education West Coast LEAF Litigation Law Reform Public Legal Education Promotes gender equality through the law Envisions a society that is equal and just for all women and people who experience gender discrimination

The Older Women’s Legal Education Project

Why this project? Learning from Older Women’s Dialogue Project: Abuse is an urgent legal issue for older women Report 1: Your Words are Worth Something Report 2: We are Not all the Same Video: No Voice

Why this project? Access to justice and legal information is a huge problem for older women Most resources and tools that address elder abuse are gender neutral The violence against women and seniors sectors remain very separate

What did we do? Consulted with older women and service providers about legal information needs Developed a 97-page handbook Roads to Safety Held 10 in-person workshops for service providers Hosted a two-part webinar series Created wallet size cards with emergency contact information (12 languages and version listing specialized services for Indigenous women)

Barriers Facing Older Women Who Have Experienced Violence

Older Women’s Dialogue Project Participant “Women often stay in a situation that is very unhealthy and scary for years because they don’t know how to end it. And where do you go when you leave?” Older Women’s Dialogue Project Participant

Older Women’s Dialogue Project Participant “The older women in their 70s and 80s are a different generation, and they got married for life. There would be a lot of shame in leaving. And they may never have worked: they have no money to leave.” Older Women’s Dialogue Project Participant

“It’s not just that older woman are treated poorly, but if you’re older, a woman and not white you’re treated worse. There are different levels and kinds of discrimination that stack up one on another. When you’re like me and poor, not-white, older and a woman—well then you’re in trouble.” Older Women’s Dialogue Project Participant

Barriers Older Women Face to Leaving Abuse Caregiver responsibilities Shame Lack of family support Fear of loss of contact with grandchildren Lack of housing options Financial insecurity Lack of knowledge of their rights Fear of deportation

Barriers Women Face to Leaving Abuse Promising Practices Tool

Barriers Reported by Transition Houses Length of stay permitted—30% Mobility issues—57% Need for accompaniment to medical and other appointments—51% Lack of capacity to provide support with disability and other health care issues—67%

Providing the Best Possible Support to Older Women

Promising Practices Outreach strategies tailored to women who are older Access to health care for women who are older Practical Guide to Elder Abuse and Neglect Law in Canada

Roads To Safety – What’s in the Handbook? Emergency assistance information Steps for safety planning Examples of abuse scenarios Accessing welfare, housing & replacement ID Resources list

Roads To Safety – What’s in the Handbook? Legal topics: Decision-making rights Advance planning for decision making How to apply for legal aid Immigration and sponsorship

Roads To Safety – What’s in the Handbook? Legal topics: Keeping grandchildren safe Property division after separation Peace bonds & protection orders Appealing a denial or legal aid or welfare

Roads To Safety – What’s in the Handbook? Tips on how to find a lawyer What is an advocate? Role of Victim Services Workers Role of mediators Role of the Public Guardian and Trustee

Roads To Safety – What Makes it Unique? One-stop information shopping Integrates legal system & other supports Developed based on consultation with service providers & older women Teaching elements re: abuse of older women

Roads To Safety – How to Use It Professional development & learning—for you Staff & student training Workbook for clients Resources for referral

Roads To Safety – Where to Find It Access online Print copies or order wallet cards? Contact Alana: education@westcoastleaf.org The handbook is out of stock, but you are welcome to print your own!

Roads To Safety – About the Wallet Cards Compact and discreet Support women to connect to help Specialized services listed for Indigenous older women Multilingual versions list different resources from the general English version

Roads To Safety – Wallet Card Versions Arabic Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional) English (General) English (Indigenous Services) Farsi French Hindi Tagalog Punjabi Spanish Urdu Vietnamese

Alana Prochuk, West Coast LEAF education@westcoastleaf.org Keep in touch! Alana Prochuk, West Coast LEAF education@westcoastleaf.org Krista James, CCEL kjames@bcli.org www.westcoastleaf.org www.bcli.org/ccel @CCElderLaw @WestCoast_LEAF /CanadianCentreforElderLaw /WestCoastLEAF