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@ Ian Craine- as an example, a vulnerable female victim may find it very difficult to be alone or in close quarters with a male for some time after their attack, if their attacker was also male. This may also be the case in the reverse. This is particularly relevant when the translator is there for a victim of childhood sexual abuse.

Equally, if the translator is for a defendant, they may have a particular disposition towards being violent or aggressive to one gender, so for the safety of the translator it is better to have one that is the same gender as the defendant.

Some cultures also do not permit speaking with or being alone with members of the opposite gender.

If you've never been involved in a case where translators were present, depending on the level of English possessed by the individual, the translator may essentially follow the individual, be they a witness, applicant, respondent, victim, defendant etc. around with or without their counsel, and will sit by them in close proximity during proceedings. A level of trust is required, as both the court and the individual are trusting the translator to provide accurate translations, and if the individual does not trust, say, women because he was abused by his mother for his entire childhood, it is likely that there will be some difficulties.

I hope this answers your question.