News & Events
DV Awareness Month – Legal Information
The Legal Aid Society Employment Law Center has valuable information in ASL about your legal rights when experiencing domestic violence:
Statement from the Board and Staff of DeafHope
This past weekend, several community members took action to make public Deaf events safe for survivors to attend. Both Joel Barish of DeafNation and Seth Gerlis of iDeafNews responded to community’s concerns immediately and took steps to show their commitment to end violence. We thank them for supporting survivors in our community.
DeafHope believes in community accountability and supports community members taking action for safe spaces. Being survivor-centered is the core of our organization and our work. We recognize that there is a long history of consistent failure on the part of law enforcement and the criminal justice system to hold perpetrators accountable for their violent behavior. For this reason, we cannot rely on evidence from the system to validate the survivor’s experience.
DeafHope also recognizes that many Deaf survivors face additional barriers to feeling safe and supported in part due to the Deaf community’s close-knit nature which often results in survivors and their abusers being in the same space. For a long time it was the norm for survivors to be ostracized when going public with their stories.
As a response to these serious issues, we support survivors in sharing their stories and naming their abusers. We also support survivors who choose not to share their stories or name their abusers. We believe each survivor knows what is best for themselves. We support creating healthy communities with positive “possibility” models for all.
To clarify, we cannot confirm or deny who has received services from us or who has a history of violence due to confidentiality and safety issues. We will not give out this kind information to anyone, including other organizations. Confidentiality is our first priority and we will always honor survivors’ right to privacy and safety.
We don’t believe it is threatening for community members to bring light to people’s abusive histories if it affects public spaces. We believe we should have a show of support for those who make requests for people with abusive histories to be removed because we know how difficult it is to come forward with stories of violence. It shows that our community members care about our Deaf community events and organizations.
Community accountability is a complicated concept that is not “one size fits all”. Too often survivors seek private or systematic means of justice and are threatened or ignored. If there is a statement of abuse against someone, a healthy response is to honor that person’s experience, identify and stop violent behaviors, and to respect the survivor’s boundaries. When this doesn’t happen in a healthy and safe manner, survivors and allies are forced to turn to public interventions. When survivors reach out, organizations should have an open dialogue with them about how to create a safe space. This new approach to dialogue is vital for us to achieve nonviolence and social justice. Together we can create space for survivors to guide this important conversation in our community.
If you are interested in continuing the dialogue about domestic violence, sexual violence, and transformative justice, you can contact us at deafhope@deaf-hope.org or join our future trainings and events. We are all in this together.
No Board meeting tonight
The DeafHope Board of Directors will not meet this month. The next meeting will be November 12. Have a good week!
DV Awareness Month – DCARA-DeafHope workshop
DCARA is hosting DeafHope for a workshop on October 14th in San Jose. Come learn more about DeafHope and our services.
[image: Flyer with the DeafHope logo and website at the top and the DCARA logo on the right bottom. Along the side text reads Deaf Counseling Advocacy and Referral Agency, 14895 E. 14th Street Suite 200 San Leandro, CA 94578 (510) 483-6670 VP (510) 483-1790 FAX info@dcara.org www.dcara.org. Main body of the flyer reads ” DeafHope Workshop When: Tuesday, October 14th Time: 10am-12pm Where: San Jose DCARA 650 N. Winchester Blvd #3 San Jose, CA 95128 Lunch will be provided. What is Deaf Hope?! It provides an advocacy to Deaf survivors and their children. If you have experiences or concerns with violence, Deaf Hope may be a right place for you. Come and find out! Their services are: Peer Advocacy including support groups, Crisis Support, Referral and Information, Support Group, Training and Consultation, Provide options and supports including safety environments, Empower individuals for life free of violence, Free charge. To RSVP and for more information or special accommodations, contact Fatima Currimbhoy at fatima.currimbhoy@dcara.org or call 408-899-5088 (VP) This event is made possible through the support of the Department of Social Services, and Santa Clara County. DCARA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.]
DV Awareness Month – Hotline Information
This month is Domestic Violence Awareness month. There is an ASL hotline for people to call if you need help or just want information. Wink shares more:
Gallaudet takes action against Sexual Assault
We applaud the important steps Gallaudet is taking to end sexual assault on campus.
http://chronicle.com/article/Video-Gallaudet-Takes-Action/149041
DV Awareness Month – Survivor Panel
On October 4th in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, DeafHope will be hosting a Survivor Panel along with DCARA and Deaf Community Counseling Services.
[image: Flyer with DCCS, DeafHope and DCARA logos at the top. Below are two images, one is a mountain range with the sun behind it and the other is a caucasian presenting hand open on green grass with an orange and black butterfly resting on it. Text below the images reads “Self-Advocacy Workshop – Domestic Violence Learn about domestic violence from DeafHope staff and a panel of survivors who will share their stories. @ Family Justice Center 470 27th Street Oakland Saturday, October 4 10:30-12:30p For information contact deafhope@deaf-hope.org. Light refreshments & ASL Interpreters provided]
Fall Family Picnic on October 18th
Please email us to rsvp if you would like to attend this fun family picnic.
Make a donation to support DeafHope survivor services:
[Image: white flyer with graphics of leaves, a scarecrow, pumpkins and the DeafHope logo. Text says “Join Us For The DeafHope Fall Picnic. When: Oct 18th, 12-4 PM. Where: Lake Chabot – Willow Picnic Area (Off Lake Chabot Road, Castro Valley) We will have food, games, and fun!! A $5.00 per person donation is requested. Please RSVP to deafhope@deaf-hope.org so we can petter prepare. Thank you! Corn Toss! Bob for Apples! And More! Donate online at www.deaf-hope.org or on-site”]
Beautiful people at the Tea Party
Thank you for making today so special!
[image: white balloon in foreground with DeafHope logo. Tea party guests sitting around tables and standing in the background. Tables are decorated in a variety of themes with handmade mugs at each seat.]
Deaf Survivor Talks About Domestic Violence
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