¿Me Explico?: Integrating a Linguistic Justice Framework to Working with Survivors of Gender-Based Violence

Language justice is an integral part of social justice, grounded in the conviction that language can be used as a tool for social change by promoting equity among languages. A linguistic justice framework is used to build and sustain multilingual spaces that ensure that everyone's voice can be heard, both as an individual and as part of diverse communities and cultures. Language justice goes beyond language access (i.e., translating documents) - it promotes creating inclusive, culturally and contextually responsive procedures when providing services and/or conducting research with gender-based violence survivors.

It is imperative that anti-violence advocates, researchers, and mental health providers create culturally affirming environments that meet the current needs of diverse groups. For example, it is a common experience for immigrant survivors who do not identify English as their preferred language to not have access to adequate translation and interpretation services when receiving supportive services. Additionally, researchers may recruit immigrant survivors into research studies that have been inadequately adapted to meet the language needs of diverse participants. This lack of attention to language needs may result in unsuitable, incongruous and/or harmful service and research practices. The use of a linguistic justice framework is key to informing the development of trauma-informed and culturally responsive research, resources, and interventions.

This workshop will offer participants an overarching understanding of the importance of integrating a linguistic justice approach when working with survivors of gender-based violence in service and research. The presenters will discuss the main principles of the linguistic justice framework, as well as concrete strategies to promote the integration of language justice within organizations and systems committed to supporting diverse survivors who may not identify English as their preferred language. Further, presenters will discuss specific ways in which language justice can be integrated into every part of the research process, including the research design, data collection procedures, data analysis and interpretation, and data reporting.

Participants of this workshop will be able to:

1- Define language justice and its main principles

2- Explain the importance of integrating a linguistic justice approach when working with survivors of gender-based violence

3- Demonstrate a general understanding of inclusive and equitable language justice practices when providing supportive services to survivors of gender-based violence

4- Enumerate specific ways language justice principles can be integrated to multiple stages of research and evaluation processes