One in Two Deaf/HoH Women Abused
My eyebrows rose as I saw this headline 1 In 2 Hearing-Impaired Women Abused – News- msnbc.com.
“From what I understand, it could be as much as one in two women.” “Half of the deaf and hard of hearing are prime targets for abuse”
From my experience in the domestic violence advocacy, I feel this statement somewhat inaccurate. Personally I don’t know of any statistics myself, but this one just doesn’t feel right. I contacted Deaf directors of Deaf domestic violence centers for any information regarding any studies on the prevalence of domestic violence in the Deaf and HoH Community.
Fortunately Marilyn Smith of Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services (ADWAS) knows the answer. “ADWAS participated in a research project for about a ten year period and what we found confirmed what we felt was true all along – that the % of Deaf women experiencing DV is not any different from hearing women. We use the figure 1 in 4. For sexual assault it is 1 in 3.”
Thank you, Marilyn.
Here is the truth: Deaf and HoH Community is not being subjected to a higher incidence of domestic violence than Hearing Community.
By the way, I hope this domestic violence center will have a successful alliance with the League for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in providing assistance to the Deaf and HoH survivors of domestic violence.
For more information on Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services: http://www.adwas.org/
My eyebrows rose as I saw this headline 1 In 2 Hearing-Impaired Women Abused – News- msnbc.com.
“From what I understand, it could be as much as one in two women.” “Half of the deaf and hard of hearing are prime targets for abuse”
From my experience in the domestic violence advocacy, I feel this statement somewhat inaccurate. Personally I don’t know of any statistics myself, but this one just doesn’t feel right. I contacted Deaf directors of Deaf domestic violence centers for any information regarding any studies on the prevalence of domestic violence in the Deaf and HoH Community.
Fortunately Marilyn Smith of Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services (ADWAS) knows the answer. “ADWAS participated in a research project for about a ten year period and what we found confirmed what we felt was true all along – that the % of Deaf women experiencing DV is not any different from hearing women. We use the figure 1 in 4. For sexual assault it is 1 in 3.”
Thank you, Marilyn.
Here is the truth: Deaf and HoH Community is not being subjected to a higher incidence of domestic violence than Hearing Community.
By the way, I hope this domestic violence center will have a successful alliance with the League for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in providing assistance to the Deaf and HoH survivors of domestic violence.
For more information on Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services: http://www.adwas.org/
February 16th, 2009 at 11:23 am
As with all statistics, one wants to explore further the basis for such statements.
What was the definition of abuse used in collecting such data?
What was the region in which the data was collected?
What defines “hearing impaired” in the population studied?
An example: in one study domestic violence was defined as “physical striking by one person of another related person” and in another it included “instances of verbal, physical, or emotional abuse by a person in power against a person of lesser status.”
With all respect to people working the DV field, one should not dismiss the “one in two abused” statement so readily, but ask for further information.
February 16th, 2009 at 11:54 am
February 16th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Diane, you raised good questions.
Personally I am dubious of their estimate. However, due to your questions, I will contact this organization and ask what data they have used to make this statement.
February 16th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I doubt this statistic as well, if only because the individual said “my understanding” which means they don’t know. Not the kind of statistic you tell reporters and the journalist writing definitely did a poor job of researching their article. A poor effort on all accounts. Even if it is true that’s not a statistic you just throw around.
Still, I do know that abuse is a problem in all of America for hearing and Deaf alike so it is too bad Deaf haven’t gotten the help needed that hearing seem to be taking advantage of.
February 16th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Statistics do not always tell real numbers.
I believe the incident among deaf/hoh population is no more or less than the rest of the population. What do I know?
But, do check out this National Domestic Volence Hotline data. Remember, not all women report it, thus, statistics do not reveal real numbers.
http://www.ndvh.org/get-educated/abuse-in-america/
This data is from 2004. With the economy the way it is, we can expect more violence due to stress, etc. in the past year up to now. And, don’t forget, men are abused in greater numbers than ever before at the hands of women.
February 16th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Oh, also from certain polls in 2005 and 2006.
February 16th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
You may want to check out http://www.deafhope.org
February 16th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Miko, ditto. One needs to be more careful about throwing out statistics.
Candy, thanks for the link. Since domestic violence remains a stigma, some women are reluctant in reporting their experiences with violence. Not everybody can identify the symptoms of domestic violence. DeafHope has an excellent DVD describing each type of domestic violence. http://www.deaf-hope.org/
Bouyea. that link is to a religious site. Here is the right link http://www.deaf-hope.org/ I’ve mentioned DeafHope several times in the past. It’s my opinion it is a great DV advocacy center, too.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
I am sure it is more than 1 out of 2 deaf women who have experienced any kind of abuses. We really need statistics to get more aid for our deaf communities. Oprah or Phil never talk about this on their shows. I find it strange. They only focus on less severe cases. They seem not able to handle deaf cases. That makes me a survivor in a hearing world. Wow
February 18th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Linda, I agree with you about not being adversiting or warning about deaf mother, deaf daughter, deaf child and any name you can saying about not being enough to spread the words about Deaf person can be received a serious domestic violence issues were not educated to hearing agencies. The problem is they dont know how to get ASL interpreter and find a good placement for someone you need to help deaf person who need to escaped from home or parent’s house, or many things.
I often wonder why Deaf is familair a words of ” Deaf – Mute” They would useful bad example of words!
In the past of years ago, Deaf woman was murdered by one hearing man who was flew to Chiagco. The Seattle detecives finally traced and caught him.
ADWAS was onced brought up to dontated the names who was native that who was murdered few years. I seem dont forgot the incident. I will ask someone at ADWAS.
February 22nd, 2009 at 12:16 pm
It’s been six days since I sent an e mail to the Deaf organization, asking them for the contact information of that domestic violence center making that statement. So far I haven’t received any response. I did explain in the e mail that I am covering this in my blog and need to contact that agency to find the source of that estimate. I would think the Deaf organization and the hearing domestic violence agency would be glad to provide further information to reduce any confusion within the Deaf Community, but…. I do find the lack of response odd.