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Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing Outreach

All survivors of domestic violence face the same issue – abuse thrives in isolation.  This can be especially true for survivors of domestic violence who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind or Hard of Hearing.  Data from an eight-year survey of college students at Rochester Institute of Technology indicates that deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals are 1.5 times more likely to be victims of relationship violence, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, psychological abuse and physical abuse, in their lifetime. [1]

How The Hotline Can Help

The Hotline strives to educate the public about the need for Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing abuse outreach programs. The safe and strictly confidential services that The Hotline offers to Deaf survivors can be life-saving. The Hotline has partnered with the Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services (ADWAS) to ensure Deaf Advocates are available to respond through Email, Instant Messenger, and Video Phone to those callers seeking help.

Deaf advocates are available from 9:00 am-5:00 pm PST, Monday through Friday. Hearing Advocates respond to callers through TTY and Relay Services twenty-four hours a day.

IM: ADWASHotline
Video Phone Only for Deaf Callers: 206-518-9361.
Hearing advocates at the National Domestic Violence Hotline are on duty 24 hours 1-800-787-3224 TTY or 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Voice

What Deaf Victims of Domestic Violence Face

A Deaf, Deaf-Blind or Hard of Hearing person trying to leave an abusive relationship faces unique barriers:

  • Information travels quickly within a Deaf, Deaf-Blind or Hard of Hearing community, compromising confidentiality and the victim’s safety.
  • Law enforcement and shelters are often not skilled at communicating with the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing and often don’t have interpreters.
  • Their batterers may take away their communication devices.
  • Their batterers may  give false information to make the person being abused believe they have fewer options.
  • They may be isolated from family, friends, resources and options.

Some examples of abuse victims who are Deaf may face [2]:

  • Intimidation through gestures, facial expressions, or exaggerated signs, floor stomping and pounding on the table or door
  • Minimizing and denying abusive behavior by saying that is Deaf culture
  • Signing very close to victim’s face when angry
  • Emotional Abuse such as abusive partner calling Deaf victim “hearing-mind” or criticizing victim’s identity or connection with the Deaf community
  • Criticizing victim’s American sign language (ASL) skills or communication style

Some examples of how batterers abuse hearing privilege [3]:

  • Not informing victim when people try to call  their attention or call on the phone
  • Excluding victim from important conversations
  • Leaving victim out in social situations with hearing people
  • Talking negatively about the Deaf community
  • If police are called,  interpreting to manipulate the situation
  • Not allowing  children to use ASL to talk with the victim
  • Not allowing children to be proud of Deaf culture
  • Criticizing victim’s speech and English skills

How Family Violence Programs Can Help

Make efforts to understand the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing culture:

  • Invite Deaf advocates to your program.
  • Recruit Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing volunteers.
  • Become familiar with Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing resources: local interpreters, churches, cultural groups and school programs.
  • Add TTY phone numbers to printed materials.
  • Teach staff to use TTY and ensure that the line is always answered.
  • Ensure that television public service announcements are close captioned.

Hotline Advocates at ADWAS also provide technical assistance to hearing programs to help them meet the needs of Deaf Survivors seeking their services. If you or your organization needs more ­information please e-mail: deafhelp@ndvh.org

 

[1] According to a recent study by the Rochester Institute of Technology.

[2] Data gathered from Deaf-Help.

[3] Data gathered from Deaf-Help.