IN THE EYES OF DEAF SURVIVORS
Brittany Ellenbecker (she/her)
Manager of Deaf IGNITE
TOPIC AREAS COVERED
Deaf IGNITE (formerly ASADV)
Willow Domestic Violence Center
Deaf Power and Control Wheel
Deaf/Hard of Hearing Survivors & Barriers
Interpreting Services & Solutions
NY Legislation
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Deaf-run Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault program located in Rochester, NY
Our mission is to end domestic and sexual violence in the Deaf community through advocacy, education, and services
Our vision is to inspire and transform communities to be accountable by creating a culture free of violence
A program of Willow Domestic Violence Center
https://willowcenterny.org/our-services/deaf-ignite/
Facebook: IGNITE at Willow
Who is Deaf IGNITE?
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Deaf IGNITE’s services
SHORT FOOTER TITLE
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Beth Anne Metlay
Sharon C. Staehle
S. Martina Moore-Reid
Sharon Haynes
Vicki T. Hurwitz
IGNITE’S HISTORY:
It all started with these five women
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We support Deaf community survivors in coping and responding to:
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Confidentiality!
Who we offer services to:
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Adults
Children at least 11 y/o
Willow Domestic Violence Center�Programs & Services
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WillowCenterNY.org
All services are free and confidential.
Who do we work with?
�
Deaf DV Power & Control Wheel
http://www.deaf-hope.org/domestic-violence/power-and-control-wheel/
Sexual Assault
Girls: 50% Deaf vs. 25% hearing have been sexually assaulted
Boys: 54% Deaf vs. 10% hearing have been sexually assaulted
Every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. And every 9 minutes, that victim is a child.
Why Higher Risks for Abuse?
90% of Deaf children are born to hearing families
Lack of public awareness
Lack of primary prevention efforts
Less likely to receive services/support
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For Survivors, it can look simple,
but the barriers are many.
Each piece of the iceberg makes it harder for a survivor to gain access to services and support and makes it harder for them to believed.
Gender & Sexuality
Race & Systematic Racism
Socio-Economic Status & Income
Community & Neighborhood expectations and culture
Religion & Faith beliefs and ideals
Culture, Nationality & Background
History &
Systems of Oppression
Education Level
Age
Disability
Geographic Location & “home”.
Class and/or Status
Substance Use
Sexual Assault
Girls: 50% Deaf vs. 25% hearing have been sexually assaulted
Boys: 54% Deaf vs. 10% hearing have been sexually assaulted
Every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. And every 9 minutes, that victim is a child.
Can you read my lips?
70 % of spoken language is not visible on the lips
50% of sounds are visually similar (homophonous)
Closure skills: educated guesswork and context
Bilingual (Deaf/English) Deaf people have strong closure skills
Deaf survivors may lose their ‘lipreading skills’ while under stress or trauma
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Writing notes = legal document!
Challenges in Reporting: �Avoid Using Family & Friends to Interpret
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Challenges in Reporting: Interpreting Issues in Legal, Court, Medical Situations
Crisis Situations: Inconsistent police practices, distrust, unqualified interpreters
CPS: turnover, unqualified interpreters
Courtroom: Contamination, unqualified interpreters
SANE: Nurse, interpreter, advocate, etc
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Thank you!
deafignite@willowcenterny.org
585-286-2713 (VP)