Interpreters fulfill a critical duty – to place limited English proficient (LEP) individuals on an equal footing with individuals who are fluent
in English. To ensure meaningful access, LEP survivors must have access to trained and qualified interpreters. Furthermore, advocates, interpreters, and court personnel need to better understand everyone’s roles and responsibilities in order to effectively collaborate on and ensure proper access.
Related Resources
From Language Access to Language Justice: Centering Survivors’ Voices in the Anti-Violence Movement, 2019
A Language Justice approach allows agencies to engage diverse organizations, local communities, stakeholders, and victims/survivors in anti-violence initiatives, placing everyone on equal footing through interpretation, translation, and other strategies for equal communication
Survivors with Limited English Proficiency: Barriers to Access
Limited English proficiency not only affects survivors’ ability to get help, but also employment, housing, benefits, health and mental health care, and to advocate for social and educational services for their children – factors compounding the vulnerability of, and the discrimination survivors face; more so for those contemplating leaving.
Resource Guide for Advocates & Attorneys on Interpretation Services for Domestic Violence Victims, 2016
Information, tips, tools, and resources for ensuring language access in service agencies.
Language Access Policy Template, 2016
Use this template to create a language access plan for your agency.
By Purvi Shah
Authored for API-GBV
2014