1 of 1

INTRODUCTION

OBJECTIVES

Some of my major findings include –

91% of participants reported experiencing one or more aspect of horizontal violence
Of those who reported experiencing horizontal violence 77% reported the perpetrator(s) to be female
58% of participants reported to have experienced some form of Repeated Stress Injury due to their career
72.7% of participants reported that the perpetrator was older than them

MAJOR FINDINGS

THE PATH FORWARD

Other professions such as teaching and nursing have experienced horizontal violence for a very long time. Both fields are well researched and experienced in this issues, having proposed, implemented, and successfully mitigated horizontal violence for years. By studying how these fields have handled this problem, solutions for horizontal violence in ASL interpreting can be proposed.

One such solution is to create educational workshops and presentation. By educating interpreters and interpreter education students about what horizontal violence is and why it occurs the problem may lessen. Interpreters can be made aware that things such as intergenerational communication and high stress working conditions tend to cause HV. They can then be taught self care techniques or strategies for bridging generational communication breakdowns, HV can be lessened

Another potential solution would be to initiate zero-tolerance policies for horizontal violence in interpreting agencies. Nursing, in particular, has had success in mitigating HV when such policies are in place. However, not all interpreters work for agencies which could make zero-tolerance policies ineffective.

ASL interpreting is a very new profession and with that comes instability and disorganization within the field. Every state decides what it means to be a certified interpreter independently, meaning there is a lack of standardization, the testing required to be certified are also changing often. One solution to lessen horizontal violence would be to bring more stability and organization to the profession. With more certainty in the field there comes the potential for less abuse of power, lessened discourse between generations, and overall, more order and oversight. Unfortunately, this proposed solution would be a massive undertaking and likely take years to do.

Horizontal Violence in ASL Interpreting:

Why Does it Happen and How Can we Fix It?

I proposed 5 categories thing to be potential causes of horizontal violence in the field of ASL interpreting: gender, working with oppressed groups, high-impact service profession, intergenerational conflict, and interpreter training programs and education. I decided on these 5 categories based on common issues interpreters have and things other professions have identified as reasons for HV in their field. The goal of my paper was to be able to support the claims I made about each categories affect on horizontal violence and propose achievable solutions

Ott, E. (2012). Do we eat our young and one another? Horizontal violence among signed language interpreters [Western Oregon University]. In Master’s of Arts in Interpreting Studies (MAIS) Theses. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/228830954.pdf

Vigor, J. (2012). Vicarious Trauma and the Professional Interpreter. The Trauma and Mental Health Report. https://trauma.blog.yorku.ca/2012/01/vicarious-trauma-and-the-professional-interpreter/

Urick, M. J., Hollensbe, E. C., Masterson, S. S., & Lyons, S. T. (2016). Understanding and Managing Intergenerational Conflict: An Examination of Influences and Strategies. Work Aging and Retirement, 3(2), waw009. https://doi.org/10.1093/workar/waw009

ASL interpreting is a relatively new profession, only organizing in 1964. Since its organization issues of antagonism, gossiping, criticism, innuendo, scapegoating, undermining, intimidation, passive aggression, withholding information, insubordination, verbal aggression, and more has occurred. These behaviors are grouped under an umbrella term: horizontal violence (HV). In this paper I explored potential causes of HV in the profession, conducted surveys and interviewed, and propose possible solutions to mitigate HV.

Bibliography/Sources

Graph taken from survey results

METHOD

To properly support my claims in this paper I started with doing general research, looking into any available research done on this topic and exploring case studies about horizontal violence in other professions such as teaching and nursing. This search resulted in information I could use to build my proposed 5 categories and helped build actionable and achievable solutions to HV in interpreting.

After doing research I built and posted on LinkedIn a survey for ASL interpreters to complete. In the survey I asked participants to answer questions that would help back up my claims. I also did an interview with an ASL interpreter, turned interpreting teacher to gain more insight into the topic. The survey yielded 24 responses although when the survey was posted some of the questions disappeared, so I was working with a limited number of usable question.

The issues of horizontal violence and the efforts to reduce it directly relate to the Mercy values of service, hospitality, mercy, and justice. Using the Sisters of Mercy’s teaching on these values solutions to the issue of horizontal violence can be created.

Interpreters must learn to have mercy for each other, understanding the chaos of others lives and working to ease the stress and pain instead of adding to it. They must also strive to not take their pain and stress out on those around them.
ASL interpreting is a service-based industry, but the rigors of the job can make people forget that true service comes from a place of generosity.
Hospitality, meaning an openness of heart and mind to others and oneself to make people feel welcome and at home is integral to interpreting. When working with a group of people historically oppressed it is important to approach all situations with hospitality.
The value of justice, as defined by the Sisters is to create relationships with others to help them achieve a fullness of life. When interpreters engage in horizontal violence they fail to uphold this value. However, solutions to mitigate HV can be sure to include emphasize on this value.

Mercy Value Connection

Natalie Steltzer

QUICK START (cont.)

How to change the template color theme

You can easily change the color theme of your poster by going to the DESIGN menu, click on COLORS, and choose the color theme of your choice. You can also create your own color theme.

You can also manually change the color of your background by going to VIEW > SLIDE MASTER. After you finish working on the master be sure to go to VIEW > NORMAL to continue working on your poster.

How to add Text

The template comes with a number of pre-formatted placeholders for headers and text blocks. You can add more blocks by copying and pasting the existing ones or by adding a text box from the HOME menu.

Text size

Adjust the size of your text based on how much content you have to present. The default template text offers a good starting point. Follow the conference requirements.

How to add Tables

To add a table from scratch go to the INSERT menu and �click on TABLE. A drop-down box will help you select rows and columns.

You can also copy and a paste a table from Word or another PowerPoint document. A pasted table may need to be re-formatted by RIGHT-CLICK > FORMAT SHAPE, TEXT BOX, Margins.

Graphs / Charts

You can simply copy and paste charts and graphs from Excel or Word. Some reformatting may be required depending on how the original document has been created.

How to change the column configuration

RIGHT-CLICK on the poster background and select LAYOUT to see the column options available for this template. The poster columns can also be customized on the Master. VIEW > MASTER.

How to remove the info bars

If you are working in PowerPoint for Windows and have finished your poster, save as PDF and the bars will not be included. You can also delete them by going to VIEW > MASTER. On the Mac adjust the Page-Setup to match the Page-Setup in PowerPoint before you create a PDF. You can also delete them from the Slide Master.

Save your work

Save your template as a PowerPoint document. For printing, save as PowerPoint or “Print-quality” PDF.

Print your poster

When you are ready to have your poster printed go online to PosterPresentations.com and click on the “Order Your Poster” button. Choose the poster type the best suits your needs and submit your order. If you submit a PowerPoint document you will be receiving a PDF proof for your approval prior to printing. If your order is placed and paid for before noon, Pacific, Monday through Friday, your order will ship out that same day. Next day, Second day, Third day, and Free Ground services are offered. Go to PosterPresentations.com for more information.

Student discounts are available on our Facebook page.�Go to PosterPresentations.com and click on the FB icon.

Berkeley CA 94710� posterpresenter@gmail.com

(—THIS SIDEBAR DOES NOT PRINT—)

DESIGN GUIDE

This PowerPoint 2007 template produces a 36”x48” presentation poster. You can use it to create your research poster and save valuable time placing titles, subtitles, text, and graphics.

We provide a series of online tutorials that will guide you through the poster design process and answer your poster production questions. To view our template tutorials, go online to PosterPresentations.com and click on HELP DESK.

When you are ready to print your poster, go online to PosterPresentations.com�

Need assistance? Call us at 1.510.649.3001

QUICK START

Zoom in and out

As you work on your poster zoom in and out to the level that is more comfortable to you.

Go to VIEW > ZOOM.

Title, Authors, and Affiliations

Start designing your poster by adding the title, the names of the authors, and the affiliated institutions. You can type or paste text into the provided boxes. The template will automatically adjust the size of your text to fit the title box. You can manually override this feature and change the size of your text.

TIP: The font size of your title should be bigger than your name(s) and institution name(s).

�

Adding Logos / Seals

Most often, logos are added on each side of the title. You can insert a logo by dragging and dropping it from your desktop, copy and paste or by going to INSERT > PICTURES. Logos taken from web sites are likely to be low quality when printed. Zoom it at 100% to see what the logo will look like on the final poster and make any necessary adjustments.

TIP: See if your school’s logo is available on our free poster templates page.

Photographs / Graphics

You can add images by dragging and dropping from your desktop, copy and paste, or by going to INSERT > PICTURES. Resize images proportionally by holding down the SHIFT key and dragging one of the corner handles. For a professional-looking poster, do not distort your images by enlarging them disproportionally.

Image Quality Check

Zoom in and look at your images at 100% magnification. If they look good they will print well.

ORIGINAL

DISTORTED

Corner handles

Good printing quality

Bad printing quality