Violence against women is a global issue, but what does it look like specifically for deaf women? We spoke with deaf representatives from organizations in Sweden and France that work to support and protect deaf women who have experienced violence.

In Sweden, the organization “National Women’s Shelter and Support in Sign Language” helps deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deafblind women, as well as other sign language users who have been subjected to violence. The shelter offers support conversations, legal advice, and help with contacting authorities through video calls in sign language. They also provide a safe house for women in need of emergency protection. The organization emphasizes the importance of creating safe environments where deaf women can feel heard and understood, and they actively work to educate authorities about the specific challenges these women face.

At the organization Deaf Female Citizens in Solidarity in France, the situation is similar. They report that deaf women often face additional obstacles due to language barriers and lack of accessibility. According to French activists, economic abuse is a particularly serious issue, where women are manipulated and financially exploited by their partners. Many also testify to the difficulties of reporting abuse and accessing appropriate support, as many helplines and authorities lack sign language interpretation.

In both Sweden and France, there is a strong desire to increase cooperation between European countries to protect deaf women and ensure they have the same access to support as hearing women. One initiative that has recently been discussed is the creation of a joint European platform for supporting deaf women who have been subjected to violence, where they can access information, advice, and contact with organizations in various countries. There are also proposals to introduce legal requirements for all helplines and crisis centers to offer sign language interpretation around the clock.

Activists and experts argue that more organizations, better training, and increased awareness are needed to combat the violence. It is not only about supporting those who have already been affected, but also about working preventively through education and information campaigns. The goal is clear: The number of deaf women subjected to violence should be zero.

Mona Riis, Teckenbro
Céline Remplon, MédiaPi
Alena Barabanova, VisualBox