Knowledge Base

In early 2014, Esperanza United conducted a national assessment of the language accessibility of court systems to survivors of sexual and domestic violence (S/DV), who have limited English proficiency (LEP). LEP is defined by the Federal Interagency Working Group on Limited English Proficiency as characteristic of “individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and who have limited ability to speak, read, write, or understand English.” They may be immigrants, citizens, refugees, and/ or asylees. They may also be deaf/hard of hearing or possess a disability, however, laws related to LEP are distinct from those such as the Americans with Disabilities Act that govern language access for persons who are deaf/hard of hearing or have learning or cognitive disabilities. This assessment focused on survivors whose language access needs should be met under LEP-related laws and rules.

This project was supported by Grant No. 2012-TA-AX-K023 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.