KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasRape Crisis Center Targets Deaf Community
Alyson Shainker with the Rare Crisis Center
In the dark they sit listening, shocked at how many deaf and hard of hearing victims are keeping to the shadows.More than a quarter of the population will be sexually assaulted before reaching adulthood. While that number may be scary, for the deaf and hard of hearing, that number jumps to 50-percent.
The problem has gone on for years around the world and many times there is no voice for these victims. But the Rape Crisis Center is working to change a community that until now has stayed silent on these assaults.
In the dark they sit listening, shocked at how many deaf and hard of hearing victims are keeping to the shadows themselves, unable to talk about their attacks and who's responsible.
"There are just so many barriers that deaf people do in fact face and the perpetrator many times knows this, and knows that they probably won't report it, and this person will never get caught. And they can continue on sexually abusing these people," said Alyson Shainker with the Rare Crisis Center.
Beyond the obvious barrier of communication, studies show victims can also be stopped from reporting sexual assaults by their own community -- especially if the attacker and victim are both deaf.
"The person is a sell out. The person is running to the police and getting this person in trouble and they should keep it within the community," said Shainker.
This can keep many victims from seeking help. Those that do, face problems when they try to communicate with police and doctors.
"It is hard enough for anyone to go through that process, but a victim that is deaf or hard of hearing, they now have to worry about having an interpreter there. Is the interpreter conveying the message correctly?" said Shainker.
The Rape Crisis Center is parenting with other groups to bring this problem to light, and those in the deaf community are happy to see the change.
"It is nice that now people are becoming more supportive. It is more out in the open," said Valerie Ramos whose husband is deaf.
Speakers say they can't expect this will prevent or stop the deaf from becoming victims, but they hope it may change the number of victims that seek help.
"People are not coming forward, so when I see our number of victims that are hearing impaired rise, I know we are making a difference," said Shainker.
Speakers say many times these assaults can happen at school, and parents need to be extra vigilant with deaf and hard of hearing children. They say you should always know who your child comes in contact with at school and try to meet anyone they seem to spend a lot of time with.
The group is planning to work with businesses and agencies that work with the deaf community, making sure they not only have the equipment like TTY to handle a call from someone needing help, but also making sure everyone answering the phones knows how to use the system.
