For a woman who has been raped, or physically assaulted it is very difficult to explain to the police, or a prosecutor or a court what has happened to her. For women who are deaf, or who have communication difficulties, or Indigenous it is even more difficult, as they have to find a sign language or Indigenous language interpreter to interpret for them. Some women who are deaf or have communication difficulties don’t know Khmer sign language and also have never had the chance to go to school so cannot read or write. This makes it even more difficult for interpreters to interpret for them. Moreover, many sign language and Indigenous language interpreters have not received any training on gender or gender-based violence and also may not understand or empathise with the women who have experienced these types of violence.
In order to help sign language and Indigenous language interpreters be able to interpret with greater sensitivity to the experiences of women survivors of GBV, ACCESS 2 organised a training on gender sensitivity and interpreting for GBV survivors. This training equipped interpreters and service providers with the necessary skills to offer informed and compassionate support to women survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence or human trafficking.
The training brought together sign language and Indigenous language interpreters, alongside service providers, to enhance their understanding of gender dynamics in society, gender biases and GBV, increase their gender sensitivity, confidence and skill in interpreting for survivors of GBV, familiarise participants with ethical and professional requirements of legal interpreting for survivors of GBV, and deepen their knowledge of best practices in supporting GBV survivors.
During the training, participants got the opportunity to share their expertise and experienceqas working with Indigenous communities, persons with disabilities, and GBV survivors. Following group discussions to support service quality, participants also participated in role-playing as lawyers, interpreters and survivors based on case studies.
This training was part of the Australian Government’s commitment to improving the quality of services available to survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and persons with disabilities, including Indigenous communities in Cambodia. This initiative aligns with ACCESS 2’s Intermediate Outcomes, specifically the goal of improving the quality of select services in the target provinces (IO1) and ensuring that cases are effectively referred to relevant services (IO2). By equipping frontline professionals with the necessary expertise, this initiative supports the broader End-of-Program Outcome (EOIO) of ensuring that select service providers deliver higher-quality GBV and disability services to an increasing number of beneficiaries by 2028.
Mr. Pot Sovannarith, a sign language interpreter who participated in the training, expressed its impact, stating, “This training is valuable for me to apply in my job and provide comprehensive and empathetic support to vulnerable people.” His testimony underscores the importance of investing in capacity-building efforts that enable service providers to respond effectively to the unique needs of GBV survivors, including those with communication barriers.
Ms Sothearoth Hel, Portfolio Leader, Development Cooperation, at the Australian Embassy opened the training stating “Australia has been a long-term supporter of work to provide services for survivors of GBV as well as to support persons with disabilities, and indigenous peoples in Cambodia.” She added that this training is part of ACCESS 2’s capacity development to GBV services providers. It is core to ACCESS 2’s principles to ensure quality GBV services are available to support to GBV survivors.
Through ACCESS 2, Australia is not only strengthening service delivery but also fostering policy and planning processes that are more responsive to the needs of GBV survivors and persons with disabilities (EOIO2). This is achieved through ongoing collaboration with the Royal Government of Cambodia and key stakeholders to implement the National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women and the National Disability Strategic Plan.
Looking ahead, ACCESS 2 will continue to support initiatives that enhance service quality, expand referral networks, and promote meaningful engagement of survivors and their advocates in policy-making. By championing gender sensitivity and inclusivity, we reinforce Australia’s commitment to a future where every survivor has access to justice, protection, and support.
For those seeking to contribute to or learn more about Australia’s ACCESS 2 program, visit www.access2cambodia.org.
Together, we are building a more inclusive and just society—one where every survivor is heard, supported, and empowered.
