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Systemic Advocacy
Legal Assistance of Windsor provides Public Legal Education sessions to the community on a variety of topics related to our practice areas. These sessions can be geared specifically to your clients or organization. If your organization would like a session on a particular topic, please contact us.
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LAW is heavily involved in the Windsor-Essex Community.
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Our community development initiatives aim to address issues resulting from violence and/or exploitation of people, and to help low-income, marginalized people meet their basic essential needs. For example:
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As Co-Chair the VAWCCWE, LAW is advocating to ensure the development of a seamless service delivery model in Windsor Essex that addresses barriers in programs and policies.
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Our Migrant Worker programs advocate for federal policy changes that respect the dignity of migrant workers across the country.
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The City of Windsor bylaw for residential landlord licensing began enforcement in February 2023. As the pilot comes back to City Council in February 2025, LAW will continue to provide input and monitor the progress with respect to enforcement.
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We work with our clinic colleagues to advocate for income maintenance programs that support our communities.
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We advocate with our partners across the province to recognize intimate partner violence as a epidemic in our communities.
16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GBV CAPTIONS
Intro – Day 1
November 25 marks the first day of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. (Your clinic) is a member of a collaborative program called Your Way Forward, which provides access to justice support for survivors of GBV. Over the next 16 Days, learn how Your Way Forward is helping survivors as they seek justice and safety.
#16Days #EndGBV #EndIPV #EndViolence #YWF
Family Law – Day 2
For survivors of gender-based violence, often the abuse does not stop when the survivor leaves the abusive relationship. Having information about your legal rights is the first step to living violence free.
#16Days #EndGBV #EndIPV #EndViolence #IPVepidemic #StopTheViolence #Keiraslaw #Bill173 #YWF
Employment – Day 3
You have the right to refuse unsafe work. Knowledge of your legal rights is your first step to a safer workplace. Contact your local Your Way Forward partner clinic or reach out to local resources in your community.
#WorkplaceSafety #EndWorkplaceViolence #KnowYourRights #SupportEachOther #YWF
Disability – Day 4
Gender-based violence can leave lasting scars, but you don't have to face it alone. If its impact affects your ability to work or care for yourself, and lasts for longer than a year, ODSP benefits may help. Know your rights and take the first step towards healing. 💪💙
#16Days #EndGBV #SupportIsAvailable #YWF
Housing – Day 5
Survivors who rent can experience housing legal issues and precarity as a direct result of gender-based violence, especially during an ongoing affordable housing crisis in Ontario. You don’t have to stay at home if home is unsafe. Tenants experiencing GBV in their rental units can terminate their lease early without financial penalty through the N15 form. For help with the form, contact your local community legal clinic or Transitional Housing Support Program.
#16Days #EndGBV #TenantRights #HousingIsAHumanRight #SafeHousing #YWF
WSIB – Day 6
If you suffer a personal injury caused by something or someone at work, even if the injury is caused by someone you had or have a personal relationship with in or outside of work, you may have a right to file a claim for Workplace Safety and Insurance benefits. Domestic violence that happens at work, caused by an abusive partner or ex-partner, can be grounds for a WSIB claim. If you are experiencing physical or mental harm at work, including threats of harm, threatening emails/phone calls at work, or unwelcome visits at work, you should get legal advice.
Having information about your legal rights is the first step to living violence free. For further information or to seek support, see if there is Your Way Forward partner clinic in your area. Link in bio. Or contact your local Community Legal Clinic.
#16Days #EndGBV #EndViolence #YWF
Human Trafficking – Day 7
Human trafficking and sexual exploitation are forms of gender-based violence. Survivors have complex legal needs, including sometimes facing trafficking charges themselves. Diligent, trauma-informed advocacy is needed to unwind these complex issues.
Having information about your legal rights is the first step to living violence free. For further information or to seek support, see if there is Your Way Forward partner clinic in your area. Link in bio. Or connect with your local community supports.
#16Days #EndGBV #EndViolence #EndHumanTrafficking #YWF
Children & Youth Rights – Day 8
Young people are frequently victim of inappropriate and unwanted sexual advances and/or relationships both online and in their homes, schools, communities and places of employment.
Your Way Forward Partner Clinic Justice for Children And Youth provides a safe space for young people across Ontario to understand their legal rights and options.
To learn more, visit JFCY’s website at www.jfcy.org
#16Days #EndGBV #EndViolence #YWF
Healthcare – Day 9
Survivors of GBV often face immediate and long-term physical and mental health impacts from the violence they experience. They need accessible and trauma-informed health care, and sometimes require supportive advocacy to access such care.
If you need more information or feel that your health care needs are not being met, contact your local legal clinic or other supports in your area to explore options to get the help you need.
#16Days #EndGBV #EndViolence #YWF
Immigration – Day 10
A lack of immigration status or having a precarious status is often used as a means to control and maintain compliance. Everyone has the right to live without violence. Having information is the first step to living violence free.
For further information or to seek support, check out the YWF website to see if services are available in your region or connect with other supports in your community.
#16Days #EndGBV #EndViolence
DAY 11
Survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) are often ineligible for social assistance. The Ontario Works program often considers “shared” assets and finances held by both parties as accessible even when those assets and finances are controlled by the abuser.
You should know that you are not alone! We are here to fight for your rights and the support you need to rebuild your life! IPV/GBV is not just a personal tragedy, it’s an epidemic. Survivors deserve access to resources without systemic re-victimization! For further information or to seek support, contact your local Community Legal Clinic.
#16Days #EndIPV #EndGBV #EndSA #YWF
DAY 12
Did you know that there is no limitation period for reporting sexual assault? You have the right to choose to report sexual assault if and when you are ready, no matter how long ago it happened.
For further information or to access support, see if there is a YWF clinic in your region (link in bio) or your local community legal clinic.
#16Days #EndIPV #EndGBV #EndSA #YWF
DAY 13
Discrimination acts as a barrier for those who experience GBV in seeking justice, housing and employment. Survivors are often reticent to report their experiences to the police or to go to court to seek relief for fear they will not be taken seriously as a result of commonly held beliefs and stereotypes. Barriers can look like discriminatory attitudes in accessing housing, particularly if they have children, based on their sources of income, their family status and/or their ethnicity. Also, finding and keeping employment due to discriminatory attitudes and lack of accommodation. Discrimination is also rampant amongst survivors who belong to the BIPOC communities, 51% of whom report experiencing discrimination, such as being denied a position due to lack of “Canadian experience.”
For further information or to seek support, see if there is Your Way Forward partner clinic in your area. Link in bio. Or contact your local Community Legal Clinic.
#16Days #EndIPV #EndGBV #EndSA #YWF
DAY 14
YWF submitted a report to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination (CEDAW) against Women regarding access to justice for women and girls in Canada. We referred to the challenges our survivor clients experience when accessing legal supports. We believe that legal clinics play a vital role in providing accessible and responsive services to survivors, particularly those who have intersectional vulnerabilities.
CEDAW has released its observations of Canada and is concerned about an increase gender-based violence towards Indigenous women, women of African descent, women belonging to religious minorities, women with disabilities and lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex women (para 21). CEDAW also noted that women and girls with disabilities continue to experience significant barriers to justice, as do women in detention.
CEDAW’s full report can be found here: Concluding Observations (COs) from the CEDAW Committee
#16Days #EndIPV #EndGBV #EndSA #YWF
DAY 15
The Wrapped in Courage campaign unites communities across Ontario to take a stand against gender-based violence.
Since its launch, this powerful initiative has been a beacon of hope and support for women and children escaping violence.
Every November, purple scarves become a symbol of courage — representing survivors’ resilience and the collective commitment to ending violence.
By wearing a purple scarf, you show that you believe survivors, support their journey, and stand for a violence-free future.
Together, we can create a future where everyone feels safe and supported. Learn more at
wrappedincourage.ca
#16Days #EndIPV #EndGBV #EndSA #YWF
DAY 16
As the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign comes to an end, let’s reflect on the incredible momentum we’ve built together.
Over the past 16 days, communities, organizations, and individuals across the world have united to:
✨ Raise awareness of the pervasive issue of gender-based violence.
✨ Advocate for policies and systems that protect survivors.
✨ Support shelters and resources that save lives.
Every action matters. Together, we can create a future where everyone can live free from violence and fear. Thank you for standing with us, for survivors, and for a world of equality and safety.
#16Days #EndIPV #EndGBV #EndSA #YWF
Promotion et défense des droits
Legal Assistance of Windsor propose des séances d’éducation juridique publique à la communauté sur une variété de sujets liés à nos domaines de pratique. Ces séances peuvent être adaptées spécifiquement à vos clients ou à votre organisation. Si votre organisation souhaite une séance sur un sujet particulier, veuillez nous contacter.
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LAW est très impliqué dans la communauté de Windsor-Essex.
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Nos initiatives de développement communautaire visent à résoudre les problèmes résultant de la violence ou de l’exploitation des personnes, et à aider les personnes à faible revenu et marginalisées à satisfaire leurs besoins essentiels de base. Par exemple :
​contenu en français en cours »