Litigating Sexual Abuse Cases for Deaf Children
Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ABA Child Law Practice
Abstract
Deaf children are far more likely
to be sexually abused than their
hearing peers. Studies report the risk
of sexual abuse is two-to-three times
greater for deaf children.1
In one study,
50% of deaf female students and 54%
of deaf male students reported that
they were sexually abused as children.2
Given these disturbing statistics, it is
important that lawyers be proficient
at prosecuting sexual assault cases for
deaf children. While these cases pose
challenges, the only way to protect
these children is to prosecute their
cases.
Litigating cases for deaf children
requires a conceptual understanding of
Deaf culture and deaf language, and
the willingness to work with interpreters. While this may seem overwhelming at first, the challenges can be
overcome
Description
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Article
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Keywords
child sexual abuse, court, hearing impaired, communication, law
Citation
Rainville, C. (2013). Litigating Sexual Abuse Cases for Deaf Children. ABA Child Law Practice, 32(8), 113-123.