The Zambia Deaf Society is concerned with the lack of sign language interpreters in police stations across the country, saying this creates a barrier in reporting of Gender Based Violence among the deaf community.
Society President, Moses Soko, says currently Zambia only has one Police Officer that understands sign language to interpreter for the deaf people.
Speaking in an interview with RCV News in Lusaka today, Mr. Soko said there is need for more sign language interpreters in police stations to encourage the deaf to report GBV abuse, since the one officer can not be all over the country.
And Mr. Soko called for a one stop GBV centre for the deaf community, whom he said suffer severe consequences of GBV.
“There is need for a specialised deaf GBV centre so that the abused can know where to report,” appealed Mr. Soko.
He was speaking through a sign language interpreter.
By Eva Hatontola
