Navigating Legal Boundaries: The Role of NGO Workers in Supporting Immigrant Survivors of D/IPV and Mediating Police Interventions in Ontario

Abstract

This thesis explores the challenges NGO workers in Ontario face as they navigate police interventions in cases of D/IPV involving immigrants. Using a qualitative approach grounded in interviews, this thesis examines how workers' legal consciousness is shaped by professional obligations, structural constraints, and cultural contexts, informing their engagement with the legal system. While participants critiqued systemic shortcomings, such as law enforcement's lack of cultural sensitivity and trauma-informed practices, they simultaneously relied on police interventions during crises. This reliance reflects a structural necessity stemming from resource limitations and hegemonic norms that prioritize reactive measures over preventative alternatives. The findings highlight the complex relationship between NGOs, their clients, and law enforcement, highlighting the challenges of addressing systemic barriers while advocating for culturally responsive practices. By situating these dynamics within a broader socio-legal framework, this research contributes to understanding how structural power and resource dependency shape frontline responses to D/IPV.