Programs & Resources for Teachers & Youth

Justice System Education Program

The Justice System Education Program is designed for schools and community groups. The program provides an overview of the justice system, how it works, and who is involved. Activities include courtwatching, court orientations, mock trials, judge/lawyer sessions as well as career and personal planning.

Youth Against Violence - Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls

Youth Against Violence: Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls is designed for passionate and committed individuals who want to take action on ending violence against women and girls – people like YOU. As a part of the Youth Against Violence initiative, it is a key tool for educating and mobilizing youth leaders for violence prevention in their communities.

Courts of BC

CourtsofBC.ca is a website that provides educational information and instructional videos about BC’s Provincial Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. In the videos Alex, a student interested in learning more about BC’s court system, speaks to three judges about the role and functions of the three courts. In addition to the videos, this resource also features downloadable student handouts and a Teacher's Guide.

Youth Criminal Justice Act

Youth and teachers can use YCJA.ca to learn about the Youth Criminal Justice Act - the law that is applied to anyone aged 12-17. Students can read articles, take quizzes and complete assignments. Teachers can read lessons and take a final exam.

Families Change: Guide to Separation and Divorce

FamiliesChange.ca provides information on separation and divorce for children, teens, parents and professionals. Animation, text, audio and video combine to help children, teens, parents better cope with divorce or separation. A professionals section is also included. The site is a popular and acclaimed age-appropriate resource. FamiliesChange.ca is also available in French.

KidsBC: Explore Changeville

This animated, highly interactive website is designed to help BC kids experiencing parental divorce or separation. The virtual world of "Changeville" provides a range of information and activities for children to explore. This exploration takes place through the use of a personally created avatar that walks through Changeville to visit the Park, Legal Street, Break Up Street and the Mall. The website is targeted to children ages 6 to 12 and it can be explored alone, or with one or both parents.

Legal Independence: It's Your Right

Legal Independence: It's Your Right is a FREE resource that uses real-life examples in an engaging, 10-minute video to help Civics 11, Social Studies 11 and Law 12 students understand the concepts of judicial and legal independence. A Teacher's Guide is available. This project was developed in partnership with The Law Society of BC.

Youth and Gangs

The Justice Education Society hosted a series of workshops titled, “Youth and Gangs” in February and March 2011 and the workshop resources are now available online. The workshops helped immigrant youth, parents and settlement workers understand the dangers of gang involvement and where they can get assistance. The free community sessions for parents were held in Vietnamese, Punjabi, Spanish and Chinese and the free training workshops for settlement workers were held in English. All workshops featured presentations by youth gang and justice system experts.

The Law Project

This multimedia website helps students learn about BC justice issues. Students integrate videos, images and text to create videos that explain their view on a justice issue. Teachers can modify supplied lesson plans to deliver instruction that is customized to meet their needs. Research. Write. Make a Movie. You're in the Director's Chair!

Being an Active Citizen

Being an Active Citizen is a 5-year program with 10 lessons per year for Social Studies grades 7-11. It enhances curriculum on law, government and citizenship by teaching students about the political and justice systems in Canada and BC and giving them tools and confidence to be active citizens.