A new report led by Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh warns that Deaf women in Scotland who experience domestic abuse are "effectively invisible" due to a lack of specialist services and coordinated national support. The British Academy-funded Sign LOUD report highlights that there are currently no national dedicated British Sign Language (BSL) support services for Deaf survivors of domestic abuse in Scotland, despite evidence indicating that Deaf women face abuse at rates two to three times higher than the general population.
The report recommends forming a BSL Equally Safe Advisory Group, which would include Deaf community organizations, domestic abuse groups, and officials responsible for the Scottish Government's Equally Safe strategy and BSL National Plan. This group would aim to improve frontline service responses and develop dedicated specialist support.
While England has specialist services such as SignHealth and the Cambridgeshire Deaf Association, Scotland depends on a temporary initiative by Deaf Links in Tayside and local Women's Aid groups. These services are only available in certain regions.
The study included input from Deaf mothers and signing practitioners who emphasized the urgent need for support for both deaf and hearing children affected by domestic abuse. Participants described situations where children were required to interpret during safeguarding conversations between their deaf mothers and statutory service providers, putting them under significant stress.
Dr Claire Houghton, Co-Investigator on the study and Senior Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, said: "We heard repeatedly about children being asked to interpret conversations between their deaf mothers and statutory service providers in domestic abuse situations.
"This compromises safeguarding and emotional wellbeing for both deaf mothers and their children. National support must include provision for children."
The report also calls for long-term funding for domestic abuse services delivered directly in BSL for Deaf women and families. It echoes recommendations from the Scottish Government's Independent Strategic Review of Funding and Commissioning of Services on Violence Against Women and Girls. The authors also highlight a need to improve access to mainstream (hearing) services through qualified interpreters.
A parliamentary roundtable hosted by MSP Karen Adam was held recently at Holyrood to discuss these findings. Professor Napier stated: "Deaf women and children have been hidden in plain sight. If we want services to be truly equitable, we must recognise their needs and act."
Karen Adam MSP commented: "Deaf women experiencing domestic abuse are too often hit by a double trauma of the abuse itself, and then the barriers they face in getting help in their own language," she said.
"The Sign LOUD project has shone a light on that reality and made it impossible to ignore.
"I hosted the roundtable in Parliament because these findings now need to be turned into action, on BSL access, on specialist support, and on making sure Deaf women and their children are properly supported in the systems meant to protect them.
"I'm very pleased that the Deputy First Minister joined us in her capacity as Minister for Languages, because language policy and BSL provision are absolutely central to making sure that safety, support and justice are genuinely accessible to Deaf women and their children."
Researchers collected first-hand accounts from six Deaf mothers who survived domestic abuse as well as five signing practitioners supporting Deaf women using BSL. Lucy Clark, a researcher with lived experience who contributed to this work said: "As a survivor, I see many gaps that continue to delay recovery for BSL users," she said.
"We urgently need greater awareness of the importance of specialist support for Deaf women and children, including access to qualified BSL interpreters and services that demonstrate real Deaf Awareness.
"BSL resources must expand so we can reach more people, break down barriers, and ensure that BSL is properly recognized and valued."
Tasnim Ahmed from the Scottish Ethnic Minority Deaf Charity added: "Being involved in this research has shown me just how urgent the need is for specialist support for Deaf women, particularly those from ethnic minority communities. Accessible, culturally appropriate services in BSL could make a real difference - helping women and children access safety, support, and advocacy with dignity and equality."
The Sign LOUD report is being launched publicly on International Human Rights Day—December 10—which marks adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations.
