Deaf, Disabled & Elder Testimonials
Leah’s Story
Leah (not survivor’s real name) is a client of a local regional center. She is in her early thirties, moderately developmentally disabled, and lives with her older sister. Both of her parents are deceased. Another client of the regional center, who also worked with her at her job site, raped Leah. When Leah reported the rape to the police and the regional center she was removed from the job site “for her own protection.” The rapist kept his job, was not arrested and was not charged with a crime. Leah’s counselor at the regional center was also assigned to counsel the rapist. Leah began to gain weight rapidly and refused to go out in public. Leah’s sister contacted Peace Over Violence and our advocate met with Leah at the regional center. After a few weeks of individual counseling sessions Leah told the advocate that several of her friends from the regional center had also experienced rape/sexual assault and wanted to talk about their experience. We were able to set up a six-week survivor support group at the regional center. Seven survivors attended. Leah began to lose the added weight and talk about “someday” getting a new job. Today, two years after her rape, Leah has a boyfriend, is no longer afraid to go out alone, and has a new job. Leah’s story is not uncommon. Persons with cognitive or communication disabilities are at highest risk of assault and have the least likelihood of receiving supportive services or justice.
Lana’s Story:
Lana (not survivor’s real name) is profoundly deaf and mildly developmentally disabled. Lana was raped, sodomized and robbed at gun point by a stranger who forced her into his car. She was assisted in calling the police by a passerby. She was provided with an interpreter for the SART exam and police report. However, a SART counselor/advocate was not called and I was not notified of her case until two days after the event. The survivor was sent to a mental health facility on a 51/50 by the SART Team. They did not provide interpreters at the facility and left her with no ability to communicate. The survivor lives in a group home where the staff do not sign, the other residents do not sign, they have no tty. I met with the survivor and a staff member at the group home. I arranged for a tty to be provided for the survivor through the Ca. telephone access program. The survivor is experiencing nightmares and states she is very afraid. She wants to see the assailant put in jail. According to the LAPD detective working on the case, the survivor was able to identify a mug shot of the assailant and is willing to testify against him. The detective is seeking other victims to strengthen his case before arresting the assailant. Peace Over Violence’ Deaf & Disabled Services is providing advocacy and counseling and working with the Crime Victims With Disabilities Community Watch Project to facilitate providing the client with a day program for consumers who are Deaf, and possibly locating a group home where some of the other residents are also Deaf and where the survivor will not be isolated due to lack of communication.