Invisible Wounds of the Family Justice System

Join Canadian legal scholar Nick Bala for a focused workshop on how hidden harms are understood and addressed in the family court process. Bala will speak on how coercive control, intimate partner violence (IPV), litigation abuse and parental alienation may go unrecognized in legal settings—and why this matters for children, survivors, and the professionals who support them.

He will explore how patterns of control and abuse can be misread as “high conflict,” how survivors may appear less credible under stress, and how children’s behaviours and statements can reflect fear or pressure rather than genuine preference. Bala will also discuss how parentification places children in adult roles and why courts sometimes mistake this for maturity.

Participants will gain insight into: • How coercive control, IPV, litigation abuse and alienation show up during and after separation • Why these patterns may be missed in court • How children’s behaviour can signal stress, fear, or loyalty conflicts • How parentification impacts children and decision-making• What communities and professionals can do to support safer, more informed outcomes.

This workshop is designed for community members, parents, frontline workers, and anyone who wants a clearer understanding of how family court decisions are shaped—and how we can better protect children and survivors.

Prof. Nicholas Bala: Nick has law degrees from Queen’s University in Canada and Harvard and is a leading Canadian expert on legal issues related to children, youth and families in the justice system. Much of his research work has involved collaborative interdisciplinary projects with social science researchers, mental health professionals, and family justice professionals. His work has been cited by all levels of courts, including in the recent Supreme Court of Canada decision on the tort of intimate partner violence in Ahluwalia v Ahluwalia.

This event is proudly hosted as part of the United Way fundraising campaign supporting vital local programs and services.