Language Justice in Human Trafficking: 16 Best Practices for Trauma-Informed Interpreting and Translating
By Jingyu (Yuki) Chen (Trauma-Informed Linguistic Expert- Mandarin & Chinese) & Dr. Shobana Powell, LCSW, DSW (CEO, Founder, & Human Trafficking Consultant at Shobana Powell Consulting)
Objectives
This article can benefit service providers, organizational leaders, interpreters, translators and survivors. It is intended to address the following objectives:
- Normalize and validate the systemic barriers, needs, and strengths of multilingual survivors of human trafficking
- Provide recommendations to service providers, interpreters, and translators for trauma-informed language justice services in the field of human trafficking
Language Justice
Language justice “is an evolving framework based on the notion of respecting every individual’s fundamental language rights — to be able to communicate, understand, and be understood in the language in which they prefer and feel most articulate and powerful. Rejecting the notion of the supremacy of one language, it recognizes that language can be a tool of oppression, and as well as an important part of exercising autonomy and of advancing racial and social justice” (American Bar Association, 2020, Language Justice During COVID-19).
It is essential to recognize that when using the language justice framework, the focus is not on the level of competency or skill of the individual in communicating in English, but rather their preference and what makes them feel most comfortable, safe, heard, and understood. This means inclusive linguistic services should be offered to individuals regardless of their level of proficiency in English.
Human Trafficking & The Exploitation of Language Barriers
In the context of human trafficking, “the language justice framework is particularly important…as English is not the primary language for many survivors. Of the reported survivors of trafficking in the United States whose immigration status was disclosed, 81% were foreign nationals, many of whom experience language barriers (Polaris, 2020, Polaris Analysis of Date from the National Human Trafficking Hotline; Department of Health of Human Services, 2022, Human Trafficking Fact Sheet; Lundstrom et al, National Economic Justice Report: Beyond Workforce Development for Survivors of Trafficking, 2023). Traffickers often take advantage of language barriers as a vulnerability, targeting nonnative English speakers who struggle to meet their basic needs or access support due to those language barriers. The exploitation of the power dynamics around language can be key to a survivor’s experience of trafficking, as well as their challenges in seeking help. As such, trauma-informed service provision must include trauma-informed linguistic services.
Human Trafficking & The Exploitation of Cultural Norms
When taking a language justice approach, it is also important to center cultural humility, as language and culture often intersect. This is particularly evident when working with survivors of trafficking who may not only have experienced the exploitation of their language barriers but also the exploitation of cultural norms or traditions. Truly inclusive service provision requires services that take into account the intersections of language and culture from an intentional, survivor-centered, and survivor-led lens. Organizations should develop policies, procedures, and access to services around language justice, and these efforts should be co-created in partnership with compensated survivors, interpreters, and translators who specialize in language justice.
16 Best Practices for Trauma-Informed Interpretation and Translation
Ideally, survivors are working with qualified service providers who are fluent in their preferred language and dialect. However, when that is not available, another key aspect of inclusive linguistic services is access to trauma-informed interpretation (spoken language) and translation (written language).
The two most common types of real-time or live interpretation are consecutive and simultaneous. In consecutive interpretation, the speaker pauses, allowing the interpreter to interpret when the speaker stops speaking. In simultaneous interpretation, the speaker does not pause, so the interpreter must interpret while the speaker is speaking.
Many service providers fail to vet or evaluate whether the interpreters and/or translators with whom they work have an understanding of power dynamics and trauma and how to bring a trauma-informed approach to language justice work. It is also essential that all service providers use an anti-oppressive lens, in addition to a trauma-informed approach, as survivors often have intersectional needs. For example, a survivor may not only need language justice support but also services that are inclusive and affirming for other oppressed identities, such as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, persons with disabilities, immigrants, and more.
Due to lack of adequate language justice services, many survivors report not only feeling misunderstood or confused about their case, but for some, they also report experiencing silencing, abuse, breach of confidentiality, and other physical, psychological, or financial safety issues, especially when partnered with an unsafe or under-equipped interpreter or translator (personal communication, 2022 & 2023).
On the other hand, when collaborating with trauma-informed interpreters or translators, survivors often report feeling seen, heard, and understood in their own language, being able to connect more with their support team, and feeling safe and comfortable enough to share their truth (personal communication, 2022 & 2023). Ultimately, this allows the service provider to build rapport and better support the survivor. It is also important to note that language justice services can be healing in and of themselves. It is an opportunity to model healthy relationships within one’s own language and an opportunity to provide survivors with the level of inclusive services and care they deserve.
Some service providers cite a lack of funding or resources as the reason for limited language justice services; however, best practice is to plan in advance and budget for the needs of nonnative English survivors, so the organization does not cause harm and is prepared to provide the quality of care that their clients deserve.
Trauma-informed interpretation and translation is an expansive field of work with more and more research and best practices emerging. Please see below for some best practices for language justice work with trauma-informed interpreters and translators (in no particular order):
1. Confidentiality
2. Privacy
3. Dual Relationships
4. Dual Roles (Interpreting/Translating for the Survivor and the Trafficker)
5. Social Media
6. Knowledge & Experience Working with Trauma and Systems
7. Understanding Power Dynamics
8. Trauma-Informed Virtual Environments
9. Safety around Recording
10. Personal Opinions, Misinterpretation, & Direct Interpretation/Translation
11. Dialects
12. Online/App Translation
13. Setting Boundaries in Advance
14. Sustainability, Vicarious Trauma & Resilience for Interpreters & Translators
15. Recommendations for Supporting Interpreters/Translators
16. Recommendations for Service Providers as the Liaison Between the Client and the Interpreter/Translator
Each best practice is explained in further detail below.
1- Confidentiality: Confidentiality is essential to the safety of survivors of trafficking. It is an ethical principle outlined in detail for service providers in trauma fields, as well as in the codes of ethics for interpreters and translators (National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics, 2022; American Psychological Association, 2022; National Board of Certified Counselors Code of Ethics,2022; American Bar Association Model Rules of Professional Conduct, 2022; American Translators Association Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, 2022, National Standards of Practice for Interpreters in Health Care, 2005, & National Association of Judiciary Interpreters & Translators Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibilities, 2022).
Despite the ethical and professional responsibilities of interpreters, translators, and service providers to uphold confidentiality, many survivors of trafficking and other forms of trauma experience breaches of confidentiality that can be detrimental not only to feelings of trust and rapport, but also to their safety. For example, one interpreter shared that she has heard colleagues discussing cases outside of work hours and in public settings, which could be unsafe for the survivor involved (Individual Interview, 2022).
Instead, interpreters and translators should only discuss cases within the agreed upon confines of their workplace. This includes refraining from discussing any details of cases with interpreters, translators, or service providers who are not involved in that case. If an interpreter or translator is working in a HIPAA environment, such as the medical or mental health field, they should be educated and informed about the HIPAA confidentiality requirements.
2- Privacy: Interpreters, translators, and service providers should be mindful not to have excess people in the room when interpreting. Including an intern, a new worker, or multiple interpreters and translators can be triggering for a survivor. It can feel retraumatizing to repeat or share details of your traumatic experience with multiple people. Trauma is oftentimes chaotic, making a survivor feel they are not in control and the world is unpredictable. Healing and building trust involve the survivor regaining a sense of control in the world and in their relationships to their providers. For example, if the original agreement with the survivor was that there would only be a case manager, survivor, and interpreter in a meeting, it is best to maintain the original agreement so the survivor can feel prepared and know what to expect. Setting clear expectations and abiding by them are ways to build rapport and reduce retraumatization.
3- Dual Relationships: Another key aspect of ethics is “dual relationships”, or situations where the client and the interpreter/translator have multiple roles. Interpreters and translators may know the survivors, their family members, their community, or even the trafficker, exploiter, or sex buyer. This risk of dual relationship can be especially high when a client speaks a unique or rare dialect or comes from an insular community. For example, many survivors and service providers report that they have experienced or witnessed interpreters or translators who attend the same religious or cultural groups as the abuser and they have told the survivor not to report to the authorities or to “keep the issue within the home”.
Interpreters and translators should maintain a strictly professional relationship with the client while they are providing services to them. Having clear boundaries creates a trauma-informed environment. A trauma-informed interpreter or translator would be mindful of the potential harms of dual relationships and work with their supervisor, the service provider, and the client to set such boundaries and/or recommend another interpreter or translator who does not have a dual relationship.
4- Dual Roles (Interpreting/Translating for the Survivor & the Trafficker): The interpreter or translator should not be providing services for both sides in a case. For example, one survivor shared that her interpreter was working with the traffickers the day before a deposition and then met with her and the other victims the next day, which did not make them feel safe or that they could build trust with the interpreter (Individual Interview, 2022). Traffickers often utilize their connections as a means of control, telling victims that they know everyone in the community and that the victim will not be safe if they report. This is a common psychological coercion tactic utilized by traffickers called omnipresence, or the concept of being everywhere and anywhere and having spheres of influence no matter where the survivor goes (Hopper & Hidalgo, Invisible Chains: Psychological Coercion of Human Trafficking Victims, 2006). When interpreters who are meant to be serving survivors are also working with their traffickers, they are proving the trafficker right- that the trafficker knows everyone and the survivor cannot find safety away from them.
5- Social Media: Interpreters and translators should not post any information about cases on social media- even without names. This can be very dangerous or harmful for the survivor. Even without identifying information, abusers can often recognize that the story is about that particular survivor. Even if the post is positive or is sharing successes about a case, it can be harmful. Best practice is to refrain from posting at all about clients, even if you ask permission. It is important to note that saying no can be particularly challenging depending on the power dynamics and the culture of the client. For example, in many Asian cultures, when you receive services for free, you may feel you owe the service provider, so you do not feel you can set boundaries or say no, as doing “favors” for the service providers is a way you can pay them back. Trauma-informed interpreters and translators are aware of this type of re-exploitation and are mindful not to ask survivors for favors, including permission to share their story.
6- Knowledge & Experience with Trauma and Systems: Interpreters and translators should know the focus of the work in advance, and they should attend training and research relevant terminology on trauma and systems work. Language justice work in the field of trauma often includes terms that are not commonly used in other fields. Survivors may use language that is specific to graphic details of trauma, mental health diagnoses and symptoms, medical needs, immigration, legal terminology, and more. Trauma-informed interpreters and translators prepare for these conversations and may even ask service providers for acronyms or a glossary of terms prior to working on a case.
Training and education is important, but experience working with communities is irreplaceable. When selecting an interpreter or translator, service providers may choose to provide a case scenario and assess how the interpreter or translator says they would respond, in order to evaluate whether they provide a trauma-informed approach.
7- Understanding Power Dynamics: Trauma-informed interpreters and translators are mindful of power dynamics in the room. They utilize their knowledge and understanding of trauma and trafficking, along with their experience working with survivors and their own self-awareness and self-reflection work to be able to recognize how power dynamics may play out in a relationship between the interpreter or translator, service provider, and survivor, especially in a cultural context. For example, a trauma-informed interpreter or translator would be mindful of the culture of the survivors and how the interpreter or translator’s age, gender, ethnicity, name, or family/community status may impact the power dynamics. If these dynamics are a concern, the trauma-informed interpreter or translator would have a conversation in advance with a service provider to ensure the survivor is receiving the services with which they feel most comfortable and that the survivor has choice and voice in their language justice services.
A trauma-informed interpreter or translator is not only mindful of their role and the impact on power dynamics, but also on specific topics within the client’s culture that may be sensitive for the client, such as finances, past relationships, or anything related to past traumatic experience. They would still interpret or translate the material, but they would be mindful of the nonverbal communication in the room, such as the client’s body language, tone, volume, and facial expressions, as well as their own. This should be a skill they are utilizing at all times, but especially during sensitive conversations.
8- Trauma-Informed Virtual Environments: If interpretation or translation is occurring in a virtual environment, a trauma-informed interpreter or translator would also be mindful of their background, a quiet environment, and confidentiality (such as no guests or coworkers nearby who can hear or see the conversation). They would also state where they are and explain that there are no additional recordings or additional cameras, so the survivor is informed.
9- Safety Issues around Recording: Another area to consider with trauma-informed interpretation and translation is recording. Some interpreters or translators request to record sessions for training purposes. However, for many survivors of trafficking, recording and cameras were utilized as part of their exploitation, so use of cameras can oftentimes be triggering. Even if it is stated that the recording will not be shared, it can make a survivor feel unsafe or uncomfortable, which means they will not share or disclose the full extent of their trauma history.
Whenever possible, do not record sessions. If recording is required for legal reasons, explain why, how it will be used, who can access it, where it will be stored, and for how long. If a recording will be destroyed after a period of time, set up a system to notify the survivor when the recording is destroyed. It is important to clarify not only how the service provider may or may not utilize the recording, but also how the interpreter, translator, and/or client may have access to the recording and how they may or may not use it. In order to create a safer environment, be clear about the boundaries and limitations of confidentiality so the client can decide what they feel comfortable sharing. For example, some agencies state that the video will not be released to any individual or agency without the client’s written pre-approval. With this approach, the survivor not only knows who has access to the recording, but they also have the decision-making power around how the recording may or may not be used.
Ultimately, exploitation is about the abuse of power and control. To be trauma-informed, service providers, interpreters, and translators should share decision-making power, control, and agency over their experience. Allow the client to set boundaries around recording that feel comfortable for them. Provide options to the client, including but not limited to: choosing whether or not they are recorded, selecting audio recording without video recording, providing options to edit one’s voice, recording without showing one’s face, or discussing whether the client can have access to viewing or receiving a copy of the video after completing the interview. It is also recommended to have an attorney review your policies to ensure the rights of the survivor are respected and honored, as release of recordings can present serious safety issues.
10- Personal Opinions, Misinterpretation, & Direct Interpretation/Translation: Interpreters and translators who are not trauma-informed sometimes add their own personal opinion, omit words or concepts, or summarize, rather than directly interpreting as a neutral third party. For example, a survivor stated, “I am a survivor of trafficking”, and the interpreter stated, “I didn’t catch exactly what she said, but she said, I am a survivor of domestic violence” (Individual Interview, 2022). This type of miscommunication may be harmful to a case, but it can also be especially dangerous when there are safety issues at play. Instead, the interpreter should ask for repetition or clarification if they do not understand what the client or service provider said.
Although direct interpretation or translation is ideal, It is also important to note that certain words may not directly translate into another language. Therefore, a trauma-informed interpreter may utilize the closest word and then provide a brief explanation to provide context. For example, certain vegetables do not have names in another language because they are not common in that region, so an interpreter may need to use several words to describe the size, color, type, use, or a comparison for the vegetable, which may take several more words than what the service provider initially stated. Another example is colloquialisms or metaphors that do not translate into another language, such as the phrase “elephant in the room”. In English, this phrase refers to a problem that is obvious but that no one discusses due to feeling uncomfortable. In other languages, the interpreter or translator may need to explain the concept, as stating a direct translation of an “elephant in the room” would hold no meaning or be confusing without explanation.
11- Dialects: Utilizing the correct dialect is an important part of language justice. One survivor shared that her interpreter spoke the wrong dialect, and because she was able to understand that dialect, she received services in a dialect that was not the one she was most comfortable with (Individual Interview, 2022). It should not fall on the survivor alone to advocate for themself, especially when receiving supportive services. In this case of the wrong dialect being utilized, the survivor did not feel safe or comfortable to state that the wrong dialect was being used. Due to the power dynamics, her cultural expectation to respect the service provider and interpreter as authority figures, and her desire to at least receive some services in a language she could somewhat understand, speaking up for her needs was not possible.
Survivors often do not feel they have the right to ask for a new interpreter. The service provider and the interpreter should be co-creating an environment with the survivor and regularly checking in to ensure the survivor is receiving the language justice services they deserve.
12- Online/App Translation: Software and applications like Google Translate or Deepl Translate may be helpful, but oftentimes the translation is incorrect. For example, in New York, there were COVID-19 vaccination signs that said “free vaccines” in English, but when translated via an online translation service, it read in Chinese as “freedom vaccines” (personal communication, 2022). Meanwhile, in Texas, there were COVID-19 vaccination signs that said “free shot” in English, but when translated via an online translation service, it read in Spanish as “free bullets” (Individual Interviews, 2022). Best practice is to rely on an experienced trauma-informed interpreter or translator, who can be mindful of synonyms and issues with direct interpretation or translation, rather than relying on online translation alone.
13- Setting Boundaries in Advance: The interpreter or translator, the client, and the service provider should set boundaries at the beginning, before starting to work together. For example, the interpreter should state they are only going to interpret what is being said word for word. Those boundaries and group agreements should include a method or signal for the client to notify the service provider if they feel uncomfortable with the interpreter at any time, such as asking for water or coffee or to use the bathroom.
14- Sustainability, Vicarious Trauma & Resilience for Interpreters & Translators: Interpreters and translators doing trauma work are susceptible to vicarious trauma, just like any other service provider. Vicarious trauma is when a service provider experiences trauma symptoms as a result of bearing witness to trauma in their work. This is especially heightened for those who also have their own lived experience with trauma and/or systemic oppression (Powell, Vicarious Trauma, Vicarious Resilience, & Systemic Oppression: The Responsibility of Organizations & Movement to Trauma Workers, 2021).
Trauma-informed interpreters and translators are trained and equipped to address vicarious trauma, ideally through cultivating and leaning on their robust support network and through working within a trauma-informed organization with healthy boundaries that are intentional about vicarious trauma prevention.
Oftentimes, due to the lack of resources, interpreters and translators are bearing the responsibility for supporting for their communities. Many interpreters and translators report feeling that if they do not take on more cases, clients who speak their languages will not get services. Organizations should build resources so interpreters and translators do not feel alone, so that their work is more sustainable, and so that they and their communities are better served and supported.
15- Recommendations for Supporting Interpreters/Translators: Best practice for creating a sustainable, healthy, trauma-informed work environment for interpreters and translators is to follow their recommendations. However, here are some minimal expectations to consider:
- Allow at least two weeks for document translation (or more for larger documents)
- Plan for time for the translator to meet with the project team to go over any questions and collaborate
- For presentations, plan for at least two interpreters, so they can take breaks and alternate interpreters every 15–20 minutes. If there will be live written interactions (charts, virtual chat, etc.), plan for at least one translator to live translate those written materials.
- Plan to have all written materials (agendas, handouts, slides, etc.) translated in advance. For slides, it is recommended to have English and the additional language/s on the same slide side-by-side if possible, so the client can follow along live. If meetings are hosted in multiple languages, materials should be provided in all languages at the same time, so there is equity in the review and preparation time provided for all participants.
16- Recommendations for Service Providers as the Liaison Between the Client and the Interpreter/Translator: There are many ways service providers can prepare in advance to intentionally foster an environment that centers language justice. Best practice is to co-create organizational policies and procedures with trauma-informed interpreters and translators as well as lived experience experts. Here are some examples of how service providers can help clients feel more comfortable and/or safer with interpreting or translating services, better collaborate with interpreters and translators, and ultimately, provide better support to their clients :
- Provide the interpreter/translator’s speaker bio to the client in advance, so they can read about their background and experience working with trauma.
- Provide a handout explaining the role and boundaries of interpreters or translators and ways the client can reach out if they have concerns.
- Provide the option to stop at any point without the client needing to explain why.
- At the end of each meeting, ask the client if there is anything they would like to add or if there is anything they said that they wanted to revisit so we can be sure we hear you and understand your perspective.
- Debrief with the interpreter or translator, periodically meeting to coordinate if there are any challenges with interpreting or translating and for the interpreter or translator to provide recommendations around cultural considerations and language justice in order to improve the experience for the client.
Implementation of these language justice recommendations will differ for each organization based on the unique needs of the survivors and communities they serve as well as their unique barriers due to funding, resources, and bureaucratic challenges. However, what is most important is decision-making power is intentionally shared with the survivor at all times. Oftentimes, traffickers target nonnative English-speaking survivors by exploiting their cultural and linguistic barriers. Survivors should not experience those same barriers when trying to receive support.
It is the responsibility of our organizations and funders to increase access to trauma-informed language justice, interpretation, and translation services and to better support not only nonnative English speaking survivors, but also the interpreters and translators working hard to serve them.
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TO LEARN MORE:
Resources: For more resources on language access in the gender-based violence field, check out the work of the Interpretation Technical Assistance and Resource Center at the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence.
Interpretation and Translation: For trauma-informed translation and interpretation (consecutive or simultaneous) in multiple languages, contact our colleagues at Coqui Interpretations at Coqui.nterpret@gmail.com.
Consultation and Training: For consultation and training on creating a more inclusive, trauma-informed language justice programming, contact us at info@shobanapowellconsulting.com or visit our website at Shobana Powell Consulting.
