Promising Practice Programs
Information Kit About Sexual Assault for the Deaf Community
| Agency | South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault (SECASA) East Bentleigh, Vic |
| Website | http://www.secasa.com.au |
| Contact | Carolyn Worth, Coordinator Ph: (03) 9928 8741 |
| Start date | 21/07/2004 |
| Program type | Community awareness/education |
| Geographical area | Australia wide |
| Target group | People with disabilities Adult survivors Children |
| Description | The kit is a brochure and a DVD which contains information about sexual assault. It is directed at the deaf
community and has two Auslan signers, Tamara Doyle-Bates and Ross Onley-Zerkel, on the DVD with subtitles for people
who do not sign. The deaf community are particularly vulnerable to assault by virtue of their disability. In addition, they are marginalised by the fact they cannot hear which makes disclosure of assault even more difficult. |
| Promising practice examples | Takes account of contemporary research and practice developments in the field of sexual assault. Positions diversity as key to the development, understanding and delivery of good practice models. Contributes to improving systems' responses to sexual assault, or is directed at preventing sexual assault. Demonstrates a sensitivity towards the barriers faced by victim/survivors in disclosing and reporting sexual assault. Has a clearly defined conceptual framework. |
| Philosophical framework | It was felt that deaf clients had particular issues in relation to sexual assault and that this video would bring the issue of sexual assault more into the open. SECASA has undertaken considerable work in the deaf community and sexual assault is not discussed as openly as in the general community. We worked with the Stop Violence Against Deaf Working Group for several years and a pamphlet was produced for deaf victims of violence which was published by DVIRC. It was agreed that a further resource was needed and this kit was prepared. |
| Publications | Information Kit About Sexual Assault for the Deaf Community is available from SECASA. The Kit will be launched in July 2004. |