VAWNet updates special collection on violence in the lives of the Deaf or hard of hearing

A Special Collection on violence experienced by individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing has been updated by the US National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women (VAWnet). Special Collections collate selected resources on a specific topic related to violence against women and provide contextual information to encourage critical analysis.

The Violence in the Lives of the Deaf or Hard of Hearing Special Collection provides information to (1) increase advocates knowledge and understanding of Deaf culture, (2) provide resources to help professionals responding to Deaf individuals and (3) highlight best practices for addressing domestic and sexual violence in the Deaf community. The Collection is organised in six parts:

• Deaf Culture
• Audism: Oppression in the Lives of Deaf Individuals
• Language and Communication
• Etiquette
• Deaf Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence
• Organisations for Deaf Survivors of Abuse

The section "Deaf Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence" acknowledges the limited research and services available to support those who have experienced abuse. The section aims to support service providers by offering information on the prevalence and dynamics of abuse as experienced by Deaf survivors and recommendations for "best practices around accessibility, the use of interpreters, and building trust and collaboration between the Deaf community and hearing service providers."

The Collection includes contributions by Deaf Iowans Against Abuse, Justice for Deaf Victims National Coalition and Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services. The Collection was first published in June 2009 and updated in April 2014.

New Zealand celebrated the 2014 Sign Langauge Week between 12-18 May.  This year the It's Not OK Campaign released a YouTube video It is OK to ask for Help (NZSL) in sign language.

Image: International Symbol for Deafness, Wikimedia. Licence: Public Domain