Levonian
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This article appeared in the Fall 2003 issue of the newsletter of the Los Angeles chapter of the Association of Late Deafened Adults.
Child Abuse & the Deaf. A Silent Curse.
A bad situation becomes even worse for hearing-impaired kids. Hearing-impaired adults may offer a solution. By Valerie Stern.
Child abuse is a problem that touches too many children in the United States. Tragically, it is estimated that children with hearing loss are twice as likely to be abused than their hearing counterparts. Some studies suggest that the reality is even worse than that.
According to Peggie Reyna, the project director for the Deaf and Disabled Services from the L.A. Commission on Assault Against Women (LACAAW), it is estimated that 90% to 95% of all Deaf [sic] children experience some sort of abuse by a guardian or family member. Experts estimate that 54% of deaf boys fell victim to sexual abuse, compared only 10% of hearing boys; 50% of deaf girls are victims of sexual crimes vs. 25% of hearing girls. Why such a big difference?
Communication
About 90% of children born deaf have hearing parents, creating its own series of problems. Hearing parents often find themselves unable to communicate with their child, and frequently decide to send them to a special boarding school. Because schools rarely discuss sexuality, and parents are unable to discuss these issues with their own children, the deaf youth are left without much knowledge, and their lack of access to TV and radio leaves them somewhat naïve for their age.
Even when a deaf child tries to report the abuse, they will often be misunderstood and their complaint discarded. Often, the teacher or the caretaker is not proficient enough in sign language to understand the sexual signs, and the child’s complaint will be written off as mere babbling.
Community Resources
Even today, there is a shortage of community resources available to deaf children who seek to report abuse. Few child abuse hotlines include TTY numbers. Deaf survivors of any sort of abuse are often unable to obtain and access essential day-to-day support and counseling services widely available to hearing populations. Abused children will not discuss their trauma unless specifically asked about it, and this is especially true for deaf children. Deaf children born of hearing parents are conditioned to comply with authority. They know that if they break the rules, they will be punished. If abused, they may fear rejection, punishment, loss of parental love, or blame for the sexual incidents.
Is abuse normal?
Many deaf children believe that abuse is part of being deaf. Especially with deaf children of hearing parents, they grow up with low self-esteem, told in subtle ways that those who hear are smarter, more able and more knowledgeable. This negative self concept makes them more likely to be abused. They come to think that they deserve it. Finally, for many years schools tried to handle the problem of sexual abuse on their own, frequently sweeping valid complaints under the rug. Incredibly, some perpetrators left with letters of recommendation.
What adults can do
Child abuse is always frightening, but even more so when dealing with deaf or hard-of-hearing children. Although current statistics are alarming, there’s always hope. I wrote this article to tell the hard-of-hearing population that their help is needed. Being hard-of-hearing ourselves, we can all recognize some of the communication difficulties these children encounter. We know how hard hearing impairment can be. Just imagine what it would be like to grow up with a hearing loss surrounded by people who did not care to understand you. There are many deaf and hard-of-hearing children in the foster care system unable to find foster care parents because no one wants the burden of learning to communicate with them. We are in a position to provide a growing and safe environment. If you are willing, kind, love children, and have the proper resources, I strongly encourage you to consider it.
Child Abuse & the Deaf. A Silent Curse.
A bad situation becomes even worse for hearing-impaired kids. Hearing-impaired adults may offer a solution. By Valerie Stern.
Child abuse is a problem that touches too many children in the United States. Tragically, it is estimated that children with hearing loss are twice as likely to be abused than their hearing counterparts. Some studies suggest that the reality is even worse than that.
According to Peggie Reyna, the project director for the Deaf and Disabled Services from the L.A. Commission on Assault Against Women (LACAAW), it is estimated that 90% to 95% of all Deaf [sic] children experience some sort of abuse by a guardian or family member. Experts estimate that 54% of deaf boys fell victim to sexual abuse, compared only 10% of hearing boys; 50% of deaf girls are victims of sexual crimes vs. 25% of hearing girls. Why such a big difference?
Communication
About 90% of children born deaf have hearing parents, creating its own series of problems. Hearing parents often find themselves unable to communicate with their child, and frequently decide to send them to a special boarding school. Because schools rarely discuss sexuality, and parents are unable to discuss these issues with their own children, the deaf youth are left without much knowledge, and their lack of access to TV and radio leaves them somewhat naïve for their age.
Even when a deaf child tries to report the abuse, they will often be misunderstood and their complaint discarded. Often, the teacher or the caretaker is not proficient enough in sign language to understand the sexual signs, and the child’s complaint will be written off as mere babbling.
Community Resources
Even today, there is a shortage of community resources available to deaf children who seek to report abuse. Few child abuse hotlines include TTY numbers. Deaf survivors of any sort of abuse are often unable to obtain and access essential day-to-day support and counseling services widely available to hearing populations. Abused children will not discuss their trauma unless specifically asked about it, and this is especially true for deaf children. Deaf children born of hearing parents are conditioned to comply with authority. They know that if they break the rules, they will be punished. If abused, they may fear rejection, punishment, loss of parental love, or blame for the sexual incidents.
Is abuse normal?
Many deaf children believe that abuse is part of being deaf. Especially with deaf children of hearing parents, they grow up with low self-esteem, told in subtle ways that those who hear are smarter, more able and more knowledgeable. This negative self concept makes them more likely to be abused. They come to think that they deserve it. Finally, for many years schools tried to handle the problem of sexual abuse on their own, frequently sweeping valid complaints under the rug. Incredibly, some perpetrators left with letters of recommendation.
What adults can do
Child abuse is always frightening, but even more so when dealing with deaf or hard-of-hearing children. Although current statistics are alarming, there’s always hope. I wrote this article to tell the hard-of-hearing population that their help is needed. Being hard-of-hearing ourselves, we can all recognize some of the communication difficulties these children encounter. We know how hard hearing impairment can be. Just imagine what it would be like to grow up with a hearing loss surrounded by people who did not care to understand you. There are many deaf and hard-of-hearing children in the foster care system unable to find foster care parents because no one wants the burden of learning to communicate with them. We are in a position to provide a growing and safe environment. If you are willing, kind, love children, and have the proper resources, I strongly encourage you to consider it.
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