Understanding the Needs of the Victims of Sexual Assault in the Deaf Community: A Needs Assessment and Safety & Accountability Audit (2005)

This study, conducted in Minneapolis, MN, examines the perceptions of Deaf and hearing service providers who assist Deaf individuals with the aftermath of sexual victimization and who individuals in the Deaf community tell about their experiences of sexual assault. It also deals with why, and what service gaps exist for the Deaf community and what can law enforcement do to be a more effective resource for members of the Deaf community. A secondary aim of this study was to implement a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach in researching a sensitive topic in the Deaf community to determine if the PAR approach is effective. This study’s results have pertinent applications in understanding the needs of Deaf persons who have been sexually assaulted. Information regarding Deaf individuals’ perceptions of the problem of sexual assault, response to sexual assault, and service gaps to the Deaf community is vital to creating and sustaining services and policies for the Deaf community.