Cambridgeshire Deaf Association has launched the first video in its new Signs of Safety series, giving deaf people access to vital domestic abuse information in British Sign Language.
The new series has been developed following funding from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and is part of CDA’s ongoing work supporting deaf victims and survivors of domestic abuse across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
The first video, now available on YouTube, marks the beginning of a wider programme that will see a range of domestic abuse resources translated into British Sign Language, making important information more accessible to deaf people. The project also includes support groups and specialist training to strengthen support for deaf victims and their families.
The project has been developed by CDA’s specialist domestic abuse team. Lauren, who is deaf, has now completed specialist training and has already delivered her first Freedom Programme course in British Sign Language. She joins Deaf Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) Emma McAllister and Deaf Community Services Director Rachael Dance in delivering support designed specifically for deaf people.
Cambridgeshire Deaf Association is commissioned by both Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council to provide specialist domestic abuse services for deaf people. The service is strongly supported by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
The Signs of Safety series has been created in response to issues identified through CDA’s domestic abuse work. The charity found that many deaf victims, particularly parents, were unable to access information about subjects such as the impact of domestic abuse on children, consent, healthy relationships and where to seek support because those resources were simply not available in British Sign Language.
The new video series aims to change that by providing information directly in BSL, presented by deaf people with an understanding of the barriers faced by the deaf community.
Rachael Dance, Director of Deaf Community Services said:
“The signs of safety series is a really important part of sharing information in the deaf community to be accessible snd we’ve already had some really amazing feedback about it from members of the deaf community who are keen to learn more and who may not have even realised what goes on in relationships behind closed doors, so I’m feeling really positive about the impact it’s going to have and it will create a safer, network for deaf, for deaf victims to seek support. We want to thank the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for the continued support for our work.”
Cambridgeshire Deaf Association provides one of the UK’s only specialist face-to-face domestic abuse services designed specifically for deaf people. Alongside one-to-one support from its IDVAs, the charity delivers the Freedom Programme in British Sign Language and continues to develop new resources to improve access to information, increase awareness and help deaf people recognise abuse and seek support.