SmartSafeSigning: Deaf Inclusion in Domestic Violence and Abuse Support and the Criminal Justice System

Previous research, including our own pilot study, found that deaf victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse (DDVA) experience delays, discrimination, increased isolation and communication barriers when attempting to access support and the Criminal Justice System (CJS) services both during an abusive relationship and when attempting to leave (Anderson 2014; Barie 2012; Crowe 2013; Lightfoot and Williams 2009; Smith and Hope 2015; Mastrocinque et al. 2022). Our pilot study found that third sector organisations are providing a safety net, delivering services that should be provided by statutory bodies but are not due to a lack of knowledge or awareness of the needs of DDVA, including how to secure and fund interpreters. Video access to interpreting services was mentioned such as the new BSL999 service which allows British Sign Language (BSL) users to access the 999-emergency services helpline. Technology/digital tools are essential for deaf individuals in facilitating everyday communication (Rodríguez-Correa et al. 2023). However, they can also be used as a form of abuse and controlling/coercive behaviour by perpetrators (Stonard 2021). Less is known about the role and impact of technology as a tool to facilitate better access and support from the CJS and support agencies, or the pitfalls in using that technology. This current project proposes to explore the nature, role, extent, and impact of the use of video-interpreter technology (e.g. BSL999, SignLive, SignVideo) by such agencies to facilitate DDVA access to such services, with the aim of better understanding the social benefit and the social harm (Salmi 2004) of video-interpreting technology. The primary questions this project seeks to address are: When and why do delays in access to Domestic Violence and Abuse (DVA) services and the CJS occur for DDVA? When and why is video-interpreter technology used to assist in access to DVA services and CJS processes? What impact does/could video-interpreter technology have in affecting change in service provision? How comfortable are DDVA stakeholders about using video-interpreter technology? What challenges does/could video-interpreter technology bring for DDVA and stakeholders, if any? How could they be resolved? Do you have any other suggestions for tools or changes to practice that could help assist DDVA in accessing support and CJS? The research project will involve police services, mainstream third sector organisations, deaf community-specific third sector organisations, and DDVA themselves. This will enable a clearer understanding of the lived experience of using video-interpreter technology including the benefits and risks for DDVA. This research could also inform policy and practice through the recommendation of improvements in accessibility to services for DDVA therefore generating a positive impact. Our research aligns with areas of The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): (3) health and wellbeing; (5) gender inequality; and (10) reducing inequality. Clearly, deaf women are disadvantaged in DVA contexts, and we need to better understand how DDVA can be serviced better. This can apply to other minorities/communities in terms of facilitating more equal access to service provision and has the potential to help UK work