​For Police, Scotland, Social Workers, Domestic Abuse Services & Frontline Staff​​​​​​

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In Scotland, Deaf women face elevated risks of domestic abuse and significant barriers in accessing support. Without an understanding of Deaf culture, British Sign Language (BSL), and the dynamics within signing communities, services risk overlooking harm or creating further trauma.

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This training equips frontline professionals with the cultural awareness and practical tools needed to support Deaf survivors more effectively and safely.

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Why This Matters: Key Facts

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• Deaf women are two to three times more likely to experience domestic abuse than hearing women (Heriot-Watt University, Justisigns2 project – hw.ac.uk)

• Around 22 Deaf women a day in the UK are at risk of abuse, yet many face barriers to disclosing or escaping abuse (Faith and VAWG blog – faithandvawg.org)

• Tactics of control often include destroying hearing aids, blocking access to interpreters, or using children as mediators, making it harder for Deaf women to reach help (The Conversation, 2024 – theconversation.com)

• Research in Scotland shows Deaf children are often used as informal interpreters during abuse disclosures, adding layers of trauma (Sign Language Interactions & Heriot-Watt University – signs.hw.ac.uk)

 

 

Who This Training Is For 

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• Police Scotland officers and frontline staff

• Social Work Scotland professionals and safeguarding teams

• Domestic abuse services, refuge workers, and advocacy teams

• Third-sector organisations, community and family support workers

• Child and adult protection practitioners

 

 

What You'll Learn 

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• Deaf culture and BSL in a Scottish context

• How domestic abuse manifests differently in Deaf and signing communities

• Barriers to disclosure and help-seeking

• Why interpreters alone aren't enough — and how to plan for safe, effective communication

• Concrete actions to make your service more accessible, trauma-informed, and equitable

 

 

Scotland Policy Links

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This training supports compliance with key national strategies, including:

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• BSL National Plan (Scotland)

• Equally Safe: Scotland’s strategy to prevent and eradicate violence against women and girls

• Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007

• Commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018

 

 

Delivered By

 

​Developed and delivered by Deaf professionals with lived experience, in partnership with us. All sessions are led in British Sign Language (BSL) with qualified English interpretation, and include real case studies from Scotland.​

 

Get in Touch:

lclarkbsl@gmail.com

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We are here to support you. You are not alone.