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As part of the planning process, to better understand the unmet needs of Deaf survivors, Vera <br />conducted an assessment. We reviewed academic literature and policy reports. We also gathered <br />new information through conducting interviews and listening sessions with Deaf advocates from <br />across the country and reviewing national hotlines, local programs, and other interventions for <br />survivors. We synthesized this information to create a snapshot of the state of services for Deaf <br />survivors and identified three key findings. <br />The State of Services for Deaf Survivors <br />Despite higher rates of domestic and sexual violence within the Deaf community, Deaf survivors <br />face barriers that often prevent them from getting the help they need. When Deaf survivors reach <br />out for services and support and their needs are not met, their experience of trauma is <br />compounded by the very systems and services that are intended to help.[34] While these systems <br />and services intend to be of support, they are mostly run by and designed for hearing people and <br />present a number of ongoing barriers for Deaf survivors in their attempts to receive services. <br />FINDING 1: Deaf survivors of domestic and sexual violence face barriers to accessing victim <br />services that are often insurmountable. <br />FINDING 2: "For Deaf, by Deaf" domestic and sexual violence programs are the most effective <br />strategy to meet the needs of Deaf survivors. <br />FINDING 3: There is a critical shortage of "for Deaf, by Deaf" programs in the United States, <br />leaving most Deaf survivors in the United States without access to the services offered by <br />these programs. <br />14 <br />