Violence in the Lives of the Deaf or Hard of Hearing

This collection offers information regarding the experiences and needs of individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing and victims/survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence. The purpose of this collection is to: 1) increase knowledge and understanding of Deaf culture, 2) provide resources to assist helping professionals in direct service work with Deaf individuals, and 3) highlight best practices.

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Violence in the Lives of the Deaf or Hard of Hearing (June 2009) by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence for VAWnet, the National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women

This Special Collection offers information regarding the experiences and needs of individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing and victims/survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence. The purpose of this collection is to: 1) increase knowledge and understanding of Deaf culture, 2) provide resources to assist helping professionals in direct service work with Deaf individuals, and 3) highlight best practices.

This collection was prepared by staff of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence in consultation with Gretchen Waech, and with guidance from the National Cross-Systems Advocacy Network, a national partnership among advocates, persons with disabilities, Deaf persons, and others from the disability rights and anti-violence movements. The former executive director of Deaf Iowans Against Abuse and the Justice for Deaf Victims National Coalition, Gretchen Waech is a proud Deaf woman and adult child of hearing parents with particular expertise on the intersection of domestic and sexual violence and the Deaf culture. Special thanks to Cathy Hoog from Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services (ADWAS) for her thoughtful contributions to this collection along with other members of the National Cross-Systems Advocacy Network.