Ontario Supporting Victims and Survivors of Sexual Assault

June 13, 2025

Province helping to expand access to Independent Legal Advice Program.

June 13, 2025

TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing $750,000 over three years to help expand access to independent legal advice for victims and survivors of sexual assault.

“Our government is improving access to critical legal advice for victims and survivors of sexual assault — the latest step in our plan to protect Ontario communities,” said Associate Attorney General Michael Tibollo. “We’re helping to ensure that victims and survivors have the information they need to make informed decisions about their legal options.” The Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic delivers the Independent Legal Advice Program, providing up to four hours of free, confidential advice to victims and survivors of sexual assault. Advice is available by telephone or video conferencing to individuals aged 16 and older who reside in Ontario and have experienced sexual assault within the province.

Quick Facts

• The Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic provided independent legal advice to 522 victims of sexual assault in 2024-25.
• As of April 1, 2025, the Clinic took over the delivery of the Independent Legal Advice Program to streamline and modernize access to services and update the intake and needs assessment process.
• The government’s $750,000 investment is part of a larger $6.4 million investment, announced in the 2024 Ontario budget, to support the Independent Legal Advice Program for victims and survivors of sexual assault and expand the Child Victim Witness Support Program.
• Through the Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act and related measures, Ontario remains committed to protecting communities and victims of crime.

Measures to support victims and survivors of sexual assault build on Ontario’s action plan to end gender-based violence and Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy.

Quotes

“This investment is a powerful step forward in helping to ensure survivors of sexual assault have access to the legal support they need to navigate an incredibly difficult time. By supporting the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, our government is helping to expand access to compassionate, survivor-centred legal advice — that can make a real difference in a person’s path to justice and healing.”

– Monica Ciriello
Parliamentary Assistant to the Attorney General

“Community-based services, including legal supports, are critically important to helping victims and survivors of crime heal and rebuild their lives. Investing in the Independent Legal Advice Program is part of our government’s plan to help keep people safe and empower survivors of crime.”

– Michael Parsa
Minister of Children, Community and Social Services

“At the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, we believe that access to justice must be survivor-centred, trauma-informed, and grounded in care and dignity. We are deeply grateful to the Ontario government for its continued support of the Independent Legal Advice Program. This recent investment reflects a meaningful commitment to ensuring that more survivors across Ontario can access the legal advice they need, when they need it, in ways that honour their experiences and autonomy. As a long-standing partner in this work, the Clinic remains committed to walking alongside survivors and communities in building pathways to justice that are compassionate, accessible, and equitable.”– Deepa Mattoo
Executive Director, Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic

Additional Resources

Independent legal advice for survivors of sexual assault

Connect with supports for survivors of violence