Key witness able to testify with the support of a sign language interpreter
Sexual Abuse
April 2025
Thanks to the support of a sign language interpreter and IJM, a key witness was able to provide critical evidence – resulting in justice for an 11-year-old girl.
The recent court case in Uganda convicted a 68-year-old man for sexually assaulting his stepdaughter.
When the young girl was assaulted, the only person who heard her cries for help was her aunt. But due to her speech impairment, she was too afraid to intervene.
However, determined to seek justice for her niece, she managed to communicate with the child's uncle, who then reported the crime to the police. The police referred the case to IJM.
The child’s aunt needed to give a statement. Recognising her speech impairment, IJM worked with the police to secure the support of a qualified sign language interpreter. This ensured that the aunt could effectively communicate her account of what she heard on the night of the assault.
Her statement, facilitated by the interpreter, became critical evidence in the prosecution of the case.
With this evidence, the perpetrator was sentenced to 3 years in prison. This case shows the importance of providing support for witnesses, who are often instrumental in securing justice.
Read more about IJM’s impact >>
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