The Systems Access Project: Improving Access to Justice for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence
The System Access Project is a two-year initiative led by WomenatthecentrE to improve access to justice for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), particularly those navigating complex and intersecting legal systems such as family, criminal, and immigration law.
The project provides individualized system navigation support, connects survivors to trusted legal and community resources, and develops accessible public legal education tools tailored to survivors’ lived realities. A key focus of this work is addressing the unique and often overlooked barriers faced by survivors with disabilities.
Through direct support, resource development, and community-informed research, the System Access Project aims to reduce systemic barriers, strengthen coordination across legal systems, and ensure survivors are better equipped to make informed decisions about their safety and legal options.
This project builds on WomenatthecentrE’s longstanding commitment to centring lived experience, advancing accessibility, and driving systemic change in how survivors access justice and support.
Portfolio: Family Law; Criminal Legal System
Funders
This project is funded by The Law Foundation of Ontario.
WomenatthecentrE Team
Nicole Taylor, Program Director
Kelsy Dundas, Project Director
Dr. Gifty Asare, Director of Research and Community Impact
Somayya Moollabhai, System Navigation Specialist
Rifaa Carter, System Navigation Specialist
Deirdre Reddick, Peer Counsellor
Natalie Rzeszutek, Research Associate
Increase Access to Survivor-Centred System Navigation: Provide trauma-informed, peer-led navigation support to survivors of GBV, including intake, case coordination, court accompaniment, and warm referrals to legal and community services.
Develop Accessible Public Legal Education (PLE) Resources: Create and share plain-language, survivor-informed legal resources (“Survivors’ Supplement”) to support individuals navigating intersecting legal systems, with a strong focus on accessibility and disability inclusion.
Strengthen Coordination Across Legal and Community Systems: Enhance collaboration between legal service providers, community organizations, and advocates to improve how survivors experience and move through systems of care and justice.
Centre Survivor Voices in Research and System Change: Conduct survivor-led, community-based research to document systemic barriers and inform policy, practice, and advocacy efforts aimed at improving access to justice.
Advance Equity for Survivors with Disabilities: Identify and address accessibility barriers within legal systems and promote more inclusive, responsive approaches that uphold the rights and needs of survivors with disabilities.