Police ‘failing’ deaf and migrant sexual assault victims, report finds

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/police-deaf-migrant-domestic-abuse-b2326430.html

26 April 2023

Police ‘failing’ deaf and migrant sexual assault victims, report finds

Police are failing deaf and migrant sexual violence and domestic abuse victims with communication needs, according to a new report, which revealed some victims are being forced to rely on neighbours to translate due to a lack of interpreters.

The report, by prominent women’s rights organisations including End Violence Against Women Coalition, found public bodies - particularly the police - are failing to comply with obligations under the Equality Act 2010 to eliminate discrimination and harassment when interacting with survivors facing communication barriers.

Campaigners warned such problems were risking the safety of victims, including those who are deaf, blind or visually impaired, have learning difficulties or do not speak English. They also warned it risks blocking their ability to get justice. […]

“Police rely on families member to work as interpreters - it is putting survivors in a position where they are having to disclose really private information to family members or neighbours,” Ms Lopez, who works for the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said.

“Police are not providing interpreters, in the cases of deaf survivors but also for migrant survivors who have English as a second language.

“There was a case of a deaf woman who had issues getting an interpreter with the police and in the end the case timed out before the communication support was sorted. This is a widespread problem.”

The Latin American Women's Rights Service (LAWRS), which contributed to the report, highlighted one example where police asked the neighbours of a victim to translate because they did not have an interpreter present.

”[The victim] was in shock and couldn’t believe she had to disclose the abuse she had endured to a neighbour, a stranger. But she was even more scared that the police wouldn’t take her seriously if she didn't, so she accepted it,” the report said. […]

 

https://rapecrisis.org.uk/news/police-are-failing-survivors-with-communication-needs-research-finds/