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Key considerations |
| 2SLGBTQI+ individuals |
- be aware of internalized biases and abuse dynamics and gender roles
- be attuned to homo/bi/trans phobia
- learn the terminology that 2SLGBTQI+ clients use to identify themselves and what terminology to avoid (e.g., do not ask for the dead name of a trans person or refer to their birth name as their “real” name)
- learn about the community and reach out to 2SLGBTQI+ service providers
- display posters or messages to signal that the office is a safe space
- recognize betrayal trauma, which may have an effect on how the client presents themselves (e.g., aggressive, hypercritical, hostile, denial, dismissing, minimizing)
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| People with disabilities |
- ask in advance of the meeting if clients have any access needs to ensure appropriate supports are in place and be prepared to allocate more time for the meeting so the client can communicate at their own pace
- consider ways to address access barriers in the office (e.g., location, transit, poor signage)
- allow a support person to be present but be attuned to warning signs (e.g., speaking without permission)
- do not touch the client or any service animals without asking permission first
- do not presume to understand the client if unsure of what they are trying to say; instead, wait until they finish communicating and ask them to repeat or rephrase
- be sure to not sound patronizing when speaking to the client
- understand the complexity around recognizing signs of family violence, given that people with disabilities may present some signs without having experienced family violence
- avoid using body language or gestures to communicate if not appropriate for the client or the situation
- do not assume the client cannot see you
- for clients who are visually impaired, do not leave them in the middle of the room; instead, guide them to a more comfortable location.
- for clients who are visually impaired, do not leave without informing the client that you are leaving/returning/saying goodbye
- focus on the client’s individuality instead of their disability and avoid making assumptions about how the client communicates
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| Newcomers |
- recognize that newcomers generally resist initial consultations for legal advice and that by the time these victims seek advice, their visit may have coincided with a new or severe attack or escalating behaviour
- be aware that newcomer clients may have experienced past abuse from the way they were raised in their country of origin (e.g., corporal punishment on children) and be attuned to signs, such as initialization, silence, physical uncomfortableness and outbursts of anger or emotion
- avoid language that may appear to be stereotypical or that perpetuates stereotypical norms
- ask about the client’s personal and familial ideologies instead of using ideologies centered in individualism or collective principles
- offer a choice of lawyer, if possible, as clients may not wish to work with a lawyer from their cultural or religious background
- use a culturally anti-oppressive approach that addresses safety concerns, while also maximizing the client’s trust, choice, control and empowerment
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| Racialized groups |
- acknowledge clients’ language barriers and discuss with clients whether translation/interpretation services are needed
- do not disclose any information with family/friends/community members without the client’s explicit consent
- understand how the client’s length of time in Canada, as well as cultural and religious factors can affect disclosure
- understand how the client’s religious and cultural background influence their wants and needs
- provide examples of what constitutes abuse, as immigrant clients may not understand what abuse looks like
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| Muslims |
- recognize that many Muslims use Islamic teachings to address family relations and that some family members may be using religion to justify their abusive behaviour
- understand how the client understands and implements Islamic teachings in terms of gender and family relations and expectations, and how their religious obligations are linked to their cultural traditions
- understand the client’s perspective of their family gender belief systems
- ask about their immigration and legal status, as the client may be unaware of their rights and may fear deportation
- use respectful ways to obtain information that can lead to better understanding and honouring the client’s belief system
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