Being Seen is a collaborative project with Deaf Action, Deaf Links and Scottish Women’s Aid that will highlight the experiences of Deaf female survivors of domestic abuse (DA) through photography, British Sign Language (BSL), and public engagement.

Domestic abuse includes controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading, or violent behaviour, most often perpetrated against women. Deaf women are estimated to be two to three times more likely to experience domestic abuse than hearing women, yet often face additional barriers in accessing information, support, and services because of limited BSL provision. Our research has shown that many Deaf women feel unseen and unheard within existing systems (see Justisigns 2 , SILENT HARM and Sign LOUD projects).

Building on previous research projects, Being Seen will use Deaf-led visual storytelling to raise awareness of how language and communication shape Deaf women’s experiences of abuse and support-seeking. A key outcome will be the creation of a free, publicly available photobank depicting Deaf women using BSL in authentic domestic abuse scenarios. These will build on the Scottish Women’s Aid One Thousand Words stock photos – https://womensaid.scot/project/one-thousand-words/ – but will explicitly show women that are deaf.

By addressing the lack of images featuring Deaf sign language users, the project will provide valuable resources for training, public information, and support services.

The project has three main components:

• Co-creation workshop: Deaf survivors, a Deaf photographer, and community partners will work together in BSL to develop ideas, stories, and visual concepts.
• Photobank creation: Professional photographs will be produced across Edinburgh, creating a unique collection of Deaf-centred visual resources.
• Public exhibition: The Being Seen exhibition will showcase the images and lived experiences behind them, alongside screening of the SILENT HARM documentary and opportunities for visitors to contribute BSL reflections.

Through Deaf-centred collaboration, Being Seen aims to make Deaf women’s experiences of domestic abuse visible, recognised, and impossible to ignore.