When “Sarah” (name changed to ensure anonymity) was referred to the Domestic Abuse (DA) Alliance, she was carrying with her more than a year of fear, control and violence. As a Deaf survivor of domestic abuse, Sarah faced unique challenges in telling her story and securing the protection she urgently needed.
This case has now become a landmark moment: the first witness statement supported through British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation to be prepared by the DA Alliance following a referral via the WEPROTECT app. This breakthrough was made possible by the tailored support provided by the DA Alliance casework team and WETRANSLATE and the reassurance that the interpreter’s fee was covered by Legal Aid, ensuring no financial barrier stood in the way of Sarah’s safety.
A Relationship Built on Power, Control and Physical Abuse
Sarah, 20 years old, had been in a relationship with her ex-partner for just over a year. At first, the relationship seemed positive but it soon turned into a pattern of coercion, isolation and abuse.
Sarah’s ex-partner, a 40-year-old man with a history of drug use, began systematically cutting her off from her support networks. He exerted financial and technological abuse – taking her phone, blocking her friends and monitoring her communications. He controlled her bank cards and finances, leaving her dependent and vulnerable. Possessions she had purchased outright remained in his unlawful ownership.
Most devastatingly, he exploited the fact that they were both Deaf. Through BSL, he launched a constant stream of verbal and emotional abuse, calling her degrading names, telling her she was worthless and even saying that her sister was “going to be dead.”
In moments of rage, he signed chilling instructions for her to kill herself and repeatedly signed threats to harm or kill her if she left him. On one occasion, he told her he would stab her if she tried to leave.
Sarah was also physically assaulted by him – slapped, punched and dragged by her hair, and subjected to acts of serious sexual violence, which she reported to the police. Even when bail conditions were set, her ex-partner breached them, blackmailing her and threatening to kill her.
The threats continued even after the relationship ended. Through text messages and FaceTime calls, using the very technology she relied on to stay connected, he made threats to “punch your face” and “beat you up,” leaving her in constant fear.
A Survivor Silenced by the System
As a Deaf survivor, Sarah faced additional obstacles in accessing justice. While she can speak, her speech is slow and can be difficult for others to follow. Combined with a poor internet connection, this made communication with statutory services frustrating and, at times, nearly impossible.
Without accessible interpretation, much of her experience could have been lost: the degrading insults, the signed threats and the years of coercive control. For many Deaf survivors, this gap is a silent injustice.
Breaking Down the Barriers to Justice
The WEPROTECT app delivers immediate victim referral for police forces and frontline service providers to improve their response to tackling domestic abuse. All victims, like Sarah, referred through the WEPROTECT app, benefit from early legal intervention, ensuring that the relevant course for protection is actioned without delay.
Recognising the barriers to communication that Sarah faced, the DA Alliance collaborated with WETRANSLATE to ensure Sarah’s voice was not just heard but clearly understood. A qualified BSL interpreter was arranged to support the process of taking her witness statement.
Because BSL can vary regionally, the interpreter worked closely with DA Alliance caseworker Grace to double-check meanings and ensure accuracy. This level of detail was critical. A misinterpreted sign could have changed the record of a threat or diluted the seriousness of Sarah’s evidence. Instead, every phrase, every insult, and every signed death threat was faithfully documented.
Importantly, the interpreter’s fee was covered by Legal Aid, meaning Sarah did not face any financial barrier to securing this vital support.
Overcoming Communication Barriers with Patience and Compassion
Grace was central to the evidence-gathering process. She supported Sarah throughout and approached the communication challenges with patience and compassion.
Although conversations with Sarah often took longer than usual, Grace never rushed her. She repeated and clarified information when needed, ensuring Sarah felt safe and respected. During the preparation of Sarah’s witness statement, Grace worked closely with the interpreter, carefully guiding the process so that Sarah’s account of sustained abuse was recorded in full detail.
Grace said:
“I had not previously worked with clients with disabilities but I am committed to ensuring anyone receives the right support and adjustments. As Sarah did not have anyone available to interpret for her, I arranged a translation session through WETRANSLATE with a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter. This experience opened my eyes to how domestic abuse can affect anyone – and how disability can be exploited as a tool of control and abuse. It also revealed the systemic neglect that survivors with disabilities often face.”
Thanks to Grace’s support, special measures were requested and granted by the court including a separate waiting room and privacy screens so that Sarah did not have to encounter her perpetrator face-to-face at the hearing. In early September, an interim court order (Non-Molestation Order) was granted. If Sarah’s perpetrator breaches this order, it will be a criminal offence.
As Grace’s work with Sarah shows, sometimes the most important victories begin with patience, compassion and the simple act of listening.
Inclusive Legal Support
This case marks the first BSL-supported civil protection order secured through the WEPROTECT referral service. It is a powerful demonstration of how accessible services, technology and compassionate casework can break down barriers that too often leave Deaf survivors excluded from justice. It also highlights the importance of collaboration. The WEPROTECT app ensures an immediate pathway to early legal intervention; WETRANSLATE delivers vital interpretation services; and staff like Grace provide the patient, human connection that makes survivors feel seen and heard. Together, these elements create a system where survivors like Sarah are not silenced.
