Interpreting in Gender Violence Settings: the Spanish Case

Abstract

Official statistics show that the prevalence of gender-based violence (gv) in Spain is twice as high among foreign women, who are particularly vulnerable to this type of violence for different reasons. Spanish authorities have taken measures aimed at creating a comprehensive system of public resources to meet the needs of victims. However, if many GV victims fail to come forward for help for different reasons, foreign victims must also face language barriers. The current official support network does not include specific language services for these women, and interpreting in gv cases follows the pattern of Public Service Interpreting (psi), which means that communication problems are solved with non-professional solutions more often than not. Against this background, this paper will discuss the particular complexity of communication in gv contexts which demands that interpreters develop specific competences. Without the proper qualification of interpreters and professionalisation of language services, foreign victims of gv can be revictimised by the very same system envisaged to guarantee the rights and safety of all women, regardless of their nationality, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, or other status.