Silence Broken: Family Court Support Workers aid victims of IPV at the highest level 

At the 13th Annual Gathering, Luke’s Place Legal Director Emily Murray sat down with Erin Lee, Executive Director of Lanark County, to discuss the vital role of Family Court Support Workers (FCSWs) in supporting survivors of gender-based violence as they navigate the complex family court process. 

Their conversation shed light on how these workers provide trauma-informed guidance, connect clients to community resources, and help ensure that survivors’ voices are heard and their safety prioritized within the justice system.

The newest episode of the Silence Broken podcast—hosted by Bob Perreault in collaboration with Erin Lee, continues the vital effort to keep intimate partner violence (IPV) in the public spotlight. The episode’s release was especially timely, coinciding with the gathering of more than 70 Family Court Support Workers from across Ontario in Toronto for the annual training organized by Luke’s Place. 

Since the CKW Inquest recommendations, Luke’s Place has been actively participating in numerous roundtables, events, and ongoing discussions aimed at strengthening systemic responses and ensuring that survivors receive the support they need. Murray notes that these conversations are now happening more frequently, a shift she describes as both necessary and encouraging. 

“The work is hard,” Murray reflects. “We focus on self-care and community care, it’s a challenging job. The failures of the family court system weigh heavily, and hearing clients’ stories can be difficult. We do everything we can to provide tools and resources so people can take care of one another in this work.” 

Tune in to the full episode, “Silence Broken: Family Court Support Workers Aid Victims of IPV at the Highest Level,” to hear Emily Murray discuss how FCSWs are helping survivors find safety, support, and understanding as they navigate the family court system. 

Many thanks to Bob Perrault and Erin Lee, for providing this critical opportunity to discuss this vital program.