Deaf people - especially young Deaf people- are at a greater risk of abuse then a hearing person. This fact also applies for young people with other disabilities, health-related conditions and children with speech and language difficulties. There are several factors contributing to why a disabled child is more at risk of abuse.
Communication barriers
- Adults may not be able to understand what the child is trying to communicate about the abuse
- Communicating solely with carers or parents may pose a risk if the child is being abused by a child or carer.
- It can be difficult to non-verbally explain what abuse is and the child may not fully understand they are being abused if they do not have this knowledge.
Lack of education
- teachers may not realise they need to teach sex education to children with disabilities
- parents or professionals may think young people with learning disabilities shouldn't have relationships or sex
- RSE is not accessible for the child because they are home-schooled
Isolation
Disabled children have less contact with people for many reasons, including: less opportunities at school, may need a carer or interpreter with them, fewer opportunities to go out with friends.
The support they offer:
- Allocation of qualified Deaf IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor)
- Allocation of a Deaf YPVA (Young People's Violence Advisor)
- Working with women refuges to provide support for Deaf women.
- Referral when necessary to SignHealth's one-to-one phycological therapy in BSL
- Survivor workshops for deaf women
- working in partnership with key national and local agencies to develop guidelines for best practice.
- Guidance on laws, policies and practice to ensure the needs of Deaf people at risk of domestic abuse are recognised and fully met
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