Domestic Violence: Deaf people & Auslan Interpreters Mark Quinn and Melissa Lowrie 1

Who are ASLIA Vic and Deaf Victoria The Australian Sign Language Interpreters Association of Victoria (ASLIA Vic) is a professional body that represents the needs and interests of Auslan (Australian Sign Language) Interpreters. Deaf Victoria is an information and advocacy agency for deaf and hard of hearing people in victoria. We are the ‘voice’ of deaf and hard of hearing people and often assist and represent them in areas of community life as advocates and support people. 2

Domestic Violence and Deaf People The Stop the Violence project, conducted by Women with Disabilities Australia, People with Disabilities Australia and UNSW, found that violence “intensified in frequency, extent and nature when gender and disability intersectStop the Violence project 3

Domestic Violence and Deaf People Deaf victims of domestic violence often face unique circumstances: Information can travel quickly within a Deaf, Deaf-blind, or hard of hearing community, compromising confidentiality and the victim’s safety. Law enforcement and shelters are often not skilled at communicating with Deaf, Deaf-blind, or hard of hearing individuals and often don’t have interpreters. Their abusive partners may take away their communication devices. Their abusive partners may give false information to the victim to make them believe they have fewer options. The victim may be isolated from family, friends, services, resource and options. 4

Domestic Violence and Deaf People According to DeafHope In USA, these are some examples of what victims face and the tactics abusive partners use to abuse the Deaf: Intimidation through gestures, facial expressions, or exaggerated signs, floor stomping and pounding on the table or door Signing very close to a victim’s face when angry Criticizing the victim’s sign language skills or communication style Not informing the victim when people try to call on the phone or try to catch their attention Excluding the victim from important conversations Leaving the victim out in social situations with hearing people Talking negatively about the Deaf community Wrongly interpreting to manipulate the situation if the police are called Not allowing children to use sign language to talk with the victim Not allowing children to be proud of deaf culture Criticizing the victim’s speech and English skills 5

Interpreting in Domestic Violence Contexts Initial point of contact- House visit Police, Court, Mediation Counselling/ Psychology appointments Ongoing appointments/meetings 6

The Implications- DCS Considerations Interpersonal Interpreter 7 Intrapersonal EnvironmentalLinguistic *Adapted from Dean & Pollard 2013

Interpreting Strategies Interpreter’s physical & psychological safety. Handling different sign contexts (Language use): ie: “He shook the baby” Clients with diagnosed/undiagnosed mental health issues or behaviours. Ethics Vs Safety Counselling for victims or offenders 8

Interpreting- Where the Judicial system and Deaf Worlds collide Intervention Order breaches- Deaf Community context (or other minority cultures). Deaf Prisoners- Handcuffs and Police Cells Misunderstood cultural aspects between Deaf people and police/DHHS 9

Questions? 10 Supported By: