Deaf Abused Women’s Network (DAWN)

Title: Empowerment Advocate

Hours: Full time at 40 hours per week

Location: Deaf Abused Women’s Network office in Washington DC

Supervision: Interns

Reports to: Deaf Abused Women’s Network Advocate Coordinator

The Empowerment Advocate should have extensive knowledge ofdomestic violence and sexual assault. The Empowerment Advocate will provide direct services to Deaf, hard of hearing and Deaf-Blind survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual violence by assisting them in navigating the civil and criminal judicial process and providing crisis management. The Empowerment Advocate will serve as a direct link to community resources to assist survivors in maintaining their safety and fulfilling immediate social service needs through short-term case management. The Empowerment Advocate will provide systematic advocacy by serving as an expert on the implications for improving the criminal legal system response to Deaf, hard of hearing, and Deaf-Blind survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking.

DUTIES INCLUDE:

- Provide immediate crisis management, and advocacy for Deaf, hard of hearing, and Deaf-Blind survivors in legal and medical settings.

- Provide guidance and knowledge through the judicial system that may include protection order process, civil and/or criminal charges, and answer questions about navigating the judicial process.

- Provide guidance and knowledge through the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) process.

- Provide short-term case management to survivors by connecting them with local resources and social services.

- Provide assistance with emergency housing.

- Provide information and assistance with emergency food and transportation services.

- Provide assistance with applying for social service agencies.

- Assist the Advocate Coordinator in maintaining client services.

- Assist the Executive Director and Coordinator with Outreach and Education program efforts.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s Degree required
Extensive knowledge of and training in domestic violence and sexual violence
Excellent American Sign Language and written communication skills
Well organized and detail oriented
Able to work in diverse settings
Excellent people skills
Able to work in time sensitive situations
Knowledge of Deaf culture
Knowledge of and ability to work within the family services and criminal legal system

How to apply:

Submit a resume and cover letter detailing reason for interest in this opportunity, relevant previous experience, and two references to:

Deaf Abused Women’s Network
Attention: Amy L. Rousseau, Executive Director
5321 First Place NE
Washington, DC 20011

or email to: director@deafdawn.org

DEADLINE TO APPLY: FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

Accessible Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline: The National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) is a wonderful resource for the Deaf community. The confidential hotline sponsored by Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services (ADWAS) offers support for Deaf women who are experiencing domestic violence. Friends and family members can also contact the hotline for information about how to support loved ones who are in domestic violence situations. Additionally, the hotline provides domestic violence resource information and facts and statistics about domestic violence.

Anyone seeking information about domestic violence can contact the hotline in one of four ways:

Videophone: (206) 787-3224
Email: ADWAS@NDVH.org
Instant Messaging (IM): ADWASHotline
TTY: 1-800-787-3224

The hotline is open Monday-Friday, 9 am – 5 pm PST.

See the video below for more information.

Original letter sent May 27, 2010

Mia Orr, Consultant
Senate Health Committee
State Capitol, Room 2191
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Honorable Senate Health Committee Members:

Alternative Solutions Center, a Deaf-owned and operated private psychotherapy practice, OPPOSES Assembly Bill 2072 (AB 2072).

AB 2072 hurts Deaf children and adults by ignoring all the research and testimonials that show just how critical American Sign Language is for healthy intellectual, emotional, and social development and well-being. As psychotherapists who work on a daily basis with Deaf people who were deprived of American Sign Language as children, we can tell you that this is one of the most painful and inhumane experiences anyone could have. The failure to give Deaf children the opportunity to converse and learn in their natural, visual language is a form of communication abuse.

Vote NO on AB 2072.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Candace A. McCullough, PhD
Sharon M. Duchesneau, LCPC

Alternative Solutions Center
www.ascdeaf.com

Original letter sent on May 17, 2010

To:
ronald.obray@purple.us,
mark.bella@purple.us,
dan.luis@purple.us,
brent.jolley@purple.us,
anthony.batte@purple.us,
rebecca.adkins@purple.us
cc: Patti Durr

Dear Purple,

We are writing with three requests. We ask that Purple:

1. Withdraw financial sponsorship from DeafRead/DeafVIDEO.TV (DVTV)
2. Remove the Purple logo/banner from both of these websites
3. Close the Purple Communications b/vlog accounts at DeafRead/DVTV

We ask you to do so because DeafRead/DVTV editors:

1. Direct online traffic to b/vlogsites where children are attacked or used as pawns to get back at adults
2. Publish links to b/vlogs that make threats to people’s employment
3. Refuse to take corrective action by removing certain links after their inappropriate content is brought to their attention, even when they DO have the ability to remove these links

Purple should take notice of the fact that people have been raising concerns about DeafRead/DVTV’s passive participation in cyber-bullying for the past three years.

We cannot imagine that Purple, a well-known VRS company, condones any of the above-mentioned practices. As a sponsor, Purple has a responsibility to educate itself about how DeafRead/DVTV operates and determine the ramifications of its continued association with DeafRead/DVTV.

Will Purple stand behind DeafRead/DVTV’s destructive online practices? Or will Purple do the right thing and make it clear to DeafRead/DVTV that it does not endorse cyber-bullying?

We trust you will do the right thing. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Candace A. McCullough, PhD
Sharon M. Duchesneau, LCPC

Alternative Solutions Center (ASC)

http://www.ascdeaf.com

English transcript: Just this past week, our Deaf community faced the sad reality of two of our members ending their lives through suicide. These are just two, among far too many other suicides, that have occurred over the years. As many people know, suicide is a difficult topic to discuss, particularly when since it brings up a whole range of feelings, including guilt, sadness, anger, and fear.

Approximately 25% of the people who commit suicide never show any warning signs or share their despair with anyone. In these cases, people are often caught off guard and shocked. Without any warning signs, there is little we can do to help in these situations.

The other 75% of people who commit suicide do show warning signs that often become clear in retrospect. Lists of these warning signs can be found on the Internet. Signs include, but are not limited to, untreated chronic depression, erratic mood swings, increase in alcohol use, giving away prized possessions, and withdrawing from activities.

Occasionally, people who are having suicidal ideations openly state their desire to die to a friend or family member. When this happens, people are often at loss for how best to respond. If you face a situation where someone is hinting or clearly stating a suicidal wish, you should ask for more information. Encourage the person to talk more and offer your presence to listen.

Find out how serious the person’s intentions are. Is it just wishful thinking or is there an actual plan? When questioned if they mean what they are saying, many people will correct themselves by admitting they are just talking and clarify that they do not plan to do anything.

Asking outright if someone has actual plans for committing suicide often makes people hesitant. They worry that mere mention of the word “suicide” might give someone the idea of actually following through with it. In reality, if someone has already been thinking of it or has made plans to commit suicide, addressing the issue in a straightforward manner is not going to cause the suicide to happen.

If the person is unable to state that the suicidal talk is just that, or if the person gives vague answers about suicidal intentions, ask if there is a plan in place. If the plan involves overdosing on medications, ask if the person has the medications ready and what kind. If the person mentions plans to use a gun, find out if there is actually a gun available to use.

When there is a clear plan for suicide, don’t look the other way. Let the person know how concerned you are. Suggest talking with a therapist or seeking treatment at a hospital. Do not keep the information you have a secret, no matter if the person has asked you to do so. Even a therapist will break confidentiality when it comes to the point where a life is at stake.

If you find yourself in the situation where someone has clear and immediate plans to commit suicide, or even if your instincts are telling you things are serious, when the person denies it, take action. If the person will not go for help, alert family members or close friends. Let them know what is happening.

Do not spend the whole night worrying about whether or not the person is safe or sending one email after another in a desperate attempt to reach the person. Call 911 and give them the person’s address. Your local police can contact the police department in the suicidal person’s home area to send help.

Should you hesitate to call 911 out of fear of angering the person, please consider which of the two alternatives – anger or death – is worse. If the person is angry at first, chances are the anger will dissipate in time, when your concern and caring actions are recognized.

It is an unfortunate fact of life that for Deaf people today, there are very few accessible Deaf-friendly inpatient and outpatient treatment programs all across the country. This is an ongoing issue that we, as a community, need to continue addressing. Hopefully, more states will take inspiration from the 13 Deaf people in Missouri, who recently filed a lawsuit demanding improved mental health services in their state.

Our current imperfect mental health system, however, should not deter anyone from seeking help for a suicidal friend or family member. Although every single suicide cannot be prevented, and no one should assume the blame for the suicidal person’s actions, if you do have an opportunity to help someone who is considering suicide, please take the opportunity to do so.

To cite: Duchesneau, S. (2010). Suicide: What You Can Do. ASC on the Couch. Retrieved (date retrieved), from http://www.ascdeaf.com/blog/?p=590.