Frontline workers are the core of Canada’s gender-based violence (GBV) response system. They offer emotional support, crisis intervention, cultural navigation, and safety planning for survivors of violence, often under intense emotional pressure. Emotional labour is not an incidental part of this work; it is the heartbeat of the sector. Yet the GBV workforce is strained by burnout, vicarious trauma, underfunding, and escalating case complexity.
This white paper highlights the essential role of frontline insight, the weight of emotional labour, and the urgent need for sustainable models of care. By prioritizing emotional health, trauma-informed workplaces, fair compensation, community-driven technology, and stable funding, Canada can protect both frontline workers and the survivors they support.