Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic: Criminalization of Survivors Project (4 positions)

Area of Law: Criminal Law 

The Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic offers legal services and representation, trauma-informed counselling and multilingual interpretation to diverse women and gender-diverse people who have experienced violence. BSCC cultivates skills and resilience by fostering safety, dignity and equality and they amplify voices to create individual and collective change. To learn more about BSCC, check out their website here: https://schliferclinic.com

Students will be involved in the Criminalization of Women Project. The Criminalization of Women Project was conceived to address the disproportionate impact of the law on women and gender diverse people who identify violence against them (particularly intimate partner abuse and sexual violence), but then find themselves facing criminal and other consequences. Students will perform regional Court Observations to document regional realities for criminalized survivors. The Clinic is looking for volunteer law students to carry out criminal court observations, specifically at courthouses located in Toronto (2201 Finch Ave West), Brampton (7744 Hurontario St), Newmarket (50 Eagle Street W), Oshawa-Durham (150 Bond St E), and Milton (491 Steeles Ave E). 

Time Commitment

Students are expected to work one shift per week 3-5 hours, typically in the form of half day or full day observations of the court. The student will be expected to attend the court, either in-person or remotely, depending on the courts format decision. 

Required Training

In addition to the PBSC mandatory training, BSCC will provide the following mandatory training activities for student volunteers: Introduction the clinic, introduction to criminalization of survivors, trauma-informed training, and court observations. The training will be provided by BSCC staff. 

Number of Students and Prerequisites

  • How many students? 
    • 4 student volunteers for the Toronto location (students may be working with students from Lincoln Alexander School of Law and Osgoode Hall Law School)
  • Can first year law students volunteer?
    • First year students are encouraged to apply!
  • Should you be bilingual? 
    • No, but additional languages are a great asset. 
  • Any other expectations for this project? ​​
    • Family law knowledge is preferred, but not necessary. Past work with survivors of violence would be an asset. Students enrolled in University of Toronto Law School's Barbra Schlifer Clinical Program are not eligible for this placement.