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* The MyLawBC website has an [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/4277 up-to-date tool] that answers question about abuse and family violence and can give you an action plan.
==IntroductionOverview of the various laws around family violence==
This chapter covers laws and legal mechanisms that are useful in addressing family violence. Because family violence is not just a family law topic, this chapter approaches family violence in the context of overlapping areas of law, including:
* the ''[[Family Law Act]]'' and its treatment of family violence,
* civil claims and the ''law of torts'' designed to make wrongdoers pay compensation to plaintiffs for the losses they have suffered.
===The ''Family Law Act''===
Family violence includes physical and sexual forms of abuse, but under the ''[[Family Law Act]]'' it also includes harmful behaviour such as threats, harassment, emotional abuse and even acts that harm someone's financial autonomy.
Note that the ''Family Law Act'' has taken proactive measures against family violence. It is now mandatory for family law professionals to assess the potential for family violence and react accordingly. The ''Family Law Act'' requires all family dispute resolution professionals (lawyers, family justice counselors, mediators, etc.) to watch for warning signs of family violence in relationships. Where warning signs are present, legal professionals try not only to determine ''safety risks'' but also the degree to which family violence might be impairing the abused party's ability to speak for themselves, advocate for their interests and negotiate a fair agreement.
===Child protection===Where children are at risk, the provincial government's ministry responsible for protecting children may become involved. The involvement of the Ministry of Children & Family Development can and the authority of the ''[http://canlii.ca/t/84dv Child, Family and Community Service Act]]'', RSBC 1996, c 46, may influence your family law proceedingsproceeding dramatically. This chapter takes a <span class="noglossary">brief</span> look at some child protection issues, what happens when a report is made, and how when children can may be placed in the care of the ministry.
===Criminal law context===
Where domestic violence exists, both family law and criminal law can be involved. This chapter provides an introduction to the ways that criminal law deals with family violence.
The ''Criminal Code'' provides for ''peace bonds'', which are mechanisms to protect you from another person. They are protection orders and can be obtained against abusers of all kinds, including an abuser you dated rather than an abusive spouse.
===Civil law context===
When individuals and corporations talk about suing each other, they are talking about enforcing their rights in ''civil law'' using the courts. A right to sue for something is called a ''cause of action''. Being wrongfully fired or hit by a car in a crosswalk can give you a cause of action. A dishonored loan can create a cause of action. So too domestic assault, or indeed assaults on anyone, can give rise to a cause of action.