In anticipation of the upcoming December 5, 2024, OBA Program “Taking Action Against Gender-Based Violence: the smallest steps – Film Screening and Panel Discussion,” we sat down with co-producer and subject matter expert, Leighann Burns to discuss “the smallest steps” film.
What was the catalyst for making the movie?
After decades of working in the field of violence against women, I was becoming aware that there were colleagues and allies who had spent decades working in this field and were about to retire. I was concerned that they would take their valuable knowledge with them when they retired, and it would be lost to future generations of activists. Therefore, I started interviewing people in this field to create a recording of this information. My original goal was to create a resource for people to access, with no intention of making a documentary. However, once I met my co-producer and director Nicole Bedford, she suggested that we turn my archival footage into a documentary. With her expertise as a filmmaker, we filmed additional participants and turned it into a finished film.
What was the inspiration behind the title?
I believe Nicole came up with the title. She recognized that you don’t need to take it all on. Each of us can take small steps to end violence against women.
What is your call to action for lawyers?
There is a knowledge deficit in the profession. You do not need to be an expert on violence against women to improve the situation for survivors of violence, but lawyers do have crucial roles to play. Start by getting well informed. Many resources were developed around recent changes to the Divorce Act, RSC 1985, c 3 (2nd Supp.), which now requires accounting for family violence, particularly with respect to parenting arrangements. There is practical guidance available for people to access and use. Listen to women when they tell you about their experiences.
What would you have loved to include in the film that was left on the cutting room floor?
We managed to include everything. The film is hopeful and leaves people feeling inspired. Nicole took hours of film and weaved them into a storyline that captures a diverse range of perspectives – Francophone, Anglophone, racialized women, Indigenous women, women with disabilities etc. The film demonstrates how there is a place for everyone in the movement.
What is the takeaway you want people to get from the film?
The best way to understand this issue is by first listening to survivors and understanding the dynamics of violence. Then figure out how to apply that knowledge to good work either as a lawyer or advocate in the field. There are a lot of very dedicated people who have been working for a long time to end violence against women. Now we need to turn that knowledge into action that helps to free women and children from this violence. We have historically thought about and treated it as something we cannot change. Instead, think about violence against women as something we could end in our lifetime and get involved.
What is your next project?
I wrote a chapter called “Lessons from the Trenches: Representing Survivor Clients” in the upcoming book, Understanding Family Violence in Family Court Proceedings: Providing Effective Responses for Victims, Perpetrators and Children to be published by University of Toronto Press in Spring 2025, which provides more guidance to lawyers working in this area.
We look forward to seeing you at the film screening and panel discussion.
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