Survivors Speak: Domestic Abuse & the Legal System

In Alberta, domestic abuse survivors consistently report that the legal system is one of the biggest barriers on their healing journeys. The legal system has not been designed for survivors, and survivors who access it must often navigate a minefield of judges and lawyers who do not understand the realities of domestic violence, and legal procedures that protect their abusers while exposing them to further harm. These experiences can be deeply traumatizing, and in some cases, can reinforce or replicate the abuse survivors have already experienced. In 2023, the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters partnered with survivors from across Alberta to better understand the experience of navigating the legal system in cases of domestic violence and abuse. In this documentary, seven survivors share their experiences of the legal system, and what they wish judges, lawyers, and public knew about domestic abuse.