Sexual assault is a traumatic experience. People who have experienced sexual assault often feel isolated, dealing with the stigma of the assault and trying to figure out the next steps alone. Sometimes a person isn’t sure if what happened to them is sexual assault; they just feel there was something wrong.
Legal Advice Services provides free and confidential summary legal advice to people who have experienced sexual assault in B.C., regardless of their age, gender, income or immigration status, and whether they have reported the incident to the police. Some clients reach out to Stand Informed shortly after the assault, while other clients come to the service many years later.
The program welcomes all clients, regardless of when the assault happened and where they are in their journey. Clients are not required to provide many details during the initial intake call, and it’s always up to the client how they want to move forward with their case.
Since the service began in 2023, Stand Informed has been able to provide legal advice to clients relating to criminal, civil, family, employment law and more through the support of staff and roster lawyers. Drawing from the program’s focus on being a trauma-informed approach, no matter the circumstances, the Stand Informed team listens to their clients respectfully and with sensitivity and provides legal advice for their situation.
Clients range from those going through intimate partner violence to those who've experienced assault in the workplace, on a date, by a stranger, revisiting an assault in their childhood, or in other circumstances. The service focuses on helping the client understand their legal options, the pros and cons of each option, and what they might expect to happen if they pursue an option.
Some clients have a clear idea of what they would like to do, while others just want to know their legal rights and what their legal options are. Clients are also provided information on support that may be available, such as victim support organizations, counselling, the Crime Victim Assistance Program and other supports.
Some of the most common feedback from clients is that they feel heard and validated. While some clients choose to move forward with a legal process, like reporting to the police or filing a complaint with a regulating body, others may decide that healing outside the legal system is the better option for them.
Whatever the client’s choice, Stand Informed lawyers and staff are here to support.
Any person who experienced sexual assault in B.C. and lives in the province can call CLAS directly at 604-673-3143 or email StandInformed@clasbc.net to access its service.
To learn more about the service, visit .