Deaf women experiencing domestic abuse 'effectively invisible'

Deaf women experiencing domestic abuse in Scotland remain “effectively invisible” due to the chronic absence of specialist services, according to a new report.

Sign LOUD, a joint project between the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University, also found that children often end up interpreting for their own mothers to report abuse.

One survivor told STV News that a dedicated British Sign Language support service is required.

Lucy Clark, who has been participating in the Sign LOUD study, said: “I am a survivor and that’s where my passion stems from. In my experience, I found there was little support for me out there, it wasn’t always clear about where I could get support from.

“There were issues around booking interpreters.”

Lucy’s ex-partner was convicted years ago for physically assaulting her.

She added: “It is harder for deaf women to report their experiences because it’s all about language, so when a deaf woman wants to report or get help, how can they do this? How can they access the service? Will service providers understand and it’s not that simple or straightforward to get access to an interpreter.

“It takes time so the whole process becomes delayed, particularly getting their statement.”

Many of the deaf mothers and signing practioners who took part reported situations where children were expected to interpret during safeguarding conversations, placing them in highly stressful and inappropriate roles.

Dr Claire Houghton from the University of Edinburgh said: “Hearing children might hear early warning signs like the door opening or things smashing, so they have very different auditory experiences that their deaf mothers couldn’t access.

“Whereas deaf children could be highly sensitive to sensory visual clues, children should never have to interpret their family’s trauma. They should never be the conduit between a deaf mother, a deaf victim survivor, and a professional.

“But they often are, despite deaf mothers trying to very strongly protect them from that.”

The report calls for dedicated, long-term funding for domestic abuse services offered directly in BSL.

Professor Jemina Napier from Heriot-Watt University said: “Deaf women experience barriers in accessing support. There’s a lack of access to information in British Sign Language, there’s a lack of understanding in the deaf community more broadly about what domestic abuse means – how to report it, how to get support.

“But I think what’s really new from this project is the level of impact on children.

“If these things are put in place, hopefully it will raise awareness – not only in the deaf community about how to report abuse and what support is available to them, but also to the wider community and support services around how to support deaf women, deaf mothers and their children.”

Details of Defini Tay and other support services are online at https://deaflinks.org.uk

Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline offer text/WhatsApp, chat & email support or through Contact Scotland BSL https://www.sdafmh.org.uk/en/

Deaf in Tay Violence Against Deaf Women Project via voice/video/text
Angus – 07915 753723
Dundee – 07988 754159
Perth – 07721 866937