Updated domestic violence awareness training program (accredited for three hours of CPD)
Published: September 10, 2025
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) values the work you do as a lawyer providing legal aid services to low-income Ontarians. As part of our commitment to supporting roster members, we are pleased to announce the launch of an updated version of the domestic violence awareness training program for roster lawyers providing legal aid certificate services in family law and duty counsel services in family law and domestic violence.
Divided into six self-guided modules, the training includes up-to-date information and resources, such as changes made to the Divorce Act and the legal definition of family violence. The training has been reviewed by organizations knowledgeable in gender-based violence, and it offers practical guidance on trauma and violence-informed lawyering, intersectionality as well as the specific legal needs of this vulnerable client group.
The training replaces the required completion of the Family Violence and Family Law for Legal Advisors online course developed by the Government of Canada’s Department of Justice and has been added to LAO’s material for review by roster members authorized to provide legal aid services in family law.
This updated domestic violence training program aligns with the recommendations of community organizations and advocates to provide gender and trauma-informed training for the legal community.
The training will better equip lawyers working on family law cases involving clients experiencing domestic violence and supports LAO’s mandate to provide high-quality services for its clients.
Training accreditation
The Law Society of Ontario has accredited the training for three hours of continuing professional development:
- 1 hour of professionalism,
- 1 hour of equality, diversity and inclusion and
- 1 hour of substantive content
What this means for you
As a lawyer currently authorized to provide family law services, we ask that you complete this training at your earliest convenience.
Action required
To complete the training:
- Log in to LAO LAW
- Go to the training tab
- Open the link to access the training modules on YouTube
To record completion of the training:
- Log in to Legal Aid Online
- Access the “Personal Info” tab, then select “View/Complete Training”
- In the training page, select the date the training was completed, the language the training was completed in, check off the disclaimer box and click “Submit”
Questions?
If you have any questions about the training or need assistance, please contact the Lawyer Service Centre at 1-866-979-9934 from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET