Just this month, the Vancouver government in British Columbia responded to a pressing problem it noticed regarding victims coping with abuse by family members. Nearly 2,000 protection orders are issued every year in British Columbia, with 1,000 of them issued when the respondent fails to present him or herself in court. In order to ensure more efficient safety and protection for those experiencing or at risk of family violence, the government will now provide professional process servers for delivery of protection orders for no cost. The new rule is applicable in all regions of the province and marks a major step of progress in victim advocacy.
According to Suzanne Anton, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, “The safety and security of those who have experienced or are at risk of family violence is a top priority for our government. This new service provides vulnerable families with the security of knowing that the protection order will be served by a professional, which will facilitate enforcement under the Criminal Code if the order is breached. The use of process servers is one more way our government is enhancing access to justice for British Columbians.” The government has arranged a one year contract with a specific process service company, with two renewal options of one year each, to handle all service of process.
Known as the Family Law Act (FLA), the law is designed to help the courts deal efficiently with family violence and especially to help families in British Columbia feel protected during difficult situations like divorce, separation, parenting arrangements, division of property, and other significant changes that can cause strife and violence.
As the executive director of BC Society of Transition Houses, Joanne Baker, explained, “Women experiencing violence and the threat of violence require a legal system that respond to their needs in a safe, secure and timely manner. We hope that this new option of using professional process servers results in the efficient, sensitive and safe service of protection orders for families throughout the province.”
