Survivors of intimate-partner and sexual violence in British Columbia will see expanded supports to help them navigate the legal system as the province continues work on recommendations from the Stanton Review.

Attorney General Niki Sharma said victims of intimate-partner or sexual violence shouldn’t have to face the justice system alone.

“The Stanton Review made it clear that survivors need better support, more co-ordinated services and safer experiences throughout the legal process,” Sharma said in a statement. “This funding will help expand critical supports, strengthen prevention efforts and ensure people can access the services they need when they need them.”

The federal government has provided more than $3 million through the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence Fund for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The funding will go to B.C.’s Ministry of Attorney General to support implementation of recommendations from the Stanton Review.

The review, conducted by Kim Stanton and commissioned by the provincial government, examined how victims and survivors of intimate-partner and sexual violence are treated within B.C.’s legal system and outlined recommendations aimed at improving their experiences.

According to the province, the funding will be used to expand the Safe Supports Project, which provides assistance to people in rural, remote and northern communities. The government says the initiative could include up to three additional family court support workers in regions that have yet to be identified.

The money will also support development of a public awareness campaign designed to inform people about available services and supports. In addition, the province plans to examine behaviour-change programs for men and boys to identify service gaps and highlight effective prevention practices.

Other initiatives include advancing the B.C. First Nations Justice Strategy through additional training for justice-sector professionals and expanding the Indigenous Justice Centres’ Aunties Program, which provides culturally grounded and wraparound supports for Indigenous victims and survivors.

The province says it currently provides more than $60 million annually to support approximately 475 victim-service and violence-against-women programs throughout British Columbia.

Government officials say they remain committed to implementing all recommendations from the Stanton Review through continued investments in education, awareness and prevention efforts aimed at addressing the root causes of violence.