Today the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against
Women (OVW) announced an award of $500,000 to the Vera Institute of Justice’s
Center on Victimization and Safety to create a plan for establishing a National
Deaf Service Line that will enable Deaf victims of domestic violence, sexual
violence, dating violence and stalking to speak directly with a Deaf advocate
or an individual who is fluent in their preferred mode of communication via
video phone 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
For many Deaf individuals, the most effective form of
communication is in-person, using sign language or an assistive communication
device. Services that are most responsive to the needs of Deaf victims are
firmly rooted in Deaf culture and provided by individuals who use the same mode
of communication, but such services are often not available because of the
limited number of culturally Deaf-specific domestic violence and sexual assault
programs.
“Clear communication is essential to helping victims find
and receive the services they need,” said OVW’s Principal Deputy Director Bea
Hanson. “The National Deaf Service Line will give Deaf victims an enhanced
means of accessing safe, culturally appropriate services.” While in-person
services remain the best option, remote services, provided by a Deaf advocate,
via video phone are the next best option.
The Vera Institute of Justice has worked extensively to end
domestic and sexual violence in the lives of individuals with disabilities and
Deaf individuals through trainings, technical assistance, conferences and a
number of key Deaf-specific initiatives.
With this award, OVW is entering the first of a two-phase
project; phase two will be the implementation of the plan the Vera Institute of
Justice will developed. The plan will include description of how the National
Deaf Service Line will complement the services currently offered to the Deaf
community by the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
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