Giving Voice to a Silent World

Not many of us realize that sexual abuse is a problem that affects many deaf people. A big reason for the absence of information on these issues is the lack of communication. Many hearing parents, especially those who have low incomes, simply do not have the time and means to learn sign language. Some are not interested to learn it at all. So their children are left in a silent world, left to their own devices as they attempt to make sense of the world around them.

Shirley (PRWEB) September 30, 2003

Unfortunately, neither the police nor the social welfare department had personnel who could understand sign language. And Shirleys parents, who are ordinary market vendors with three other children, were simply unable to afford an interpreters fee.

It was then that Shirley learned about the Catholic Ministry to Deaf People, Inc. (CMDP), an organization created in 1989 to assist the deaf Filipinos to be well developed spiritually, psychologically, and socially towards their empowerment in a nurturing community. The organization offers education and counseling programs to fight sexual abuse of deaf Filipinos.

I was very glad that, finally, hearing people could understand my language and situation," says Shirley. They helped me file a formal complaint against my offenders, looked for an interpreter and even shouldered the interpreters fee." She adds that CMDP also helped look for temporary shelter when their family started receiving threats from her offenders and was there to give her moral and financial support when she gave birth to a son.

Not many of us realize that sexual abuse is a problem that affects many deaf people. When CMDP immersed itself in the concerns of the Filipino deaf community, it discovered issues such as abuse, relationship problems, low self-confidence and self-esteem and wrong notions on gender, sexuality, and reproductive health.

Communication is key
A big reason for the absence of information on these issues is the lack of communication. Many hearing parents, especially those who have low incomes, simply do not have the time and means to learn sign language. Some are not interested to learn it at all. So their children are left in a silent world, left to their own devices as they attempt to make sense of the world around them.
And so CMDP developed programs to raise awareness of these issues among young deaf Filipinos. One of its projects, the Prevention and Treatment of Deaf Sexual Abuse (PTDSA) teaches deaf youth how to protect themselves from abuse and assists victims like Shirley to overcome the trauma of the abuse through sessions and guidance classes.

Counseling sessions give them the opportunity to talk about abuse either individually or as a group. These discussions help the victims overcome the experience by helping them acknowledge it, talk about it and re-frame their view of themselves, their experience as well as their situation. Family members are also encouraged to participate since CMDP believes that families also need to regain or build their supportive nature to complete the victims rehabilitation. CMDP likewise organizes guidance classes in some public schools in Quezon City to help deaf Filipinos gain a positive self-image and a broader knowledge of their rights and obligations.

Role models
CMDP also has projects that are aimed at younger children. CMDP conducts Personal Safety (PS) classes for deaf children 13 years and below and Young Adult Health Education (YAHE) for Deaf youth 14 years and above to encourage them to talk about their problems or experiences while growing up. These classes are facilitated by CMDPs deaf staff who are trained to become facilitators, catechists, counselors, bookkeepers, social workers, leaders and role models for their fellow deaf.

In line with its vision to empower the deaf, CMDP ensures that its programs will continue to be implemented by training parents, caregivers, teachers, and people working with or for the deaf. CMDP has already conducted such workshops not only in Metro Manila but also in Morong and San Mateo in Rizal and Tagbilaran, Bohol. And with support from the Ford Foundation, CMDP was able to publish a guidebook on facilitating YAHE sessions for deaf Filipinos.

Today, Shirley holds up her son and looks forward to the day when she can support him and her family. I felt a different joy when I saw my son. So I named him after my father," she says.

With the guidance of CMDP, she and her family are starting to live a normal life again. Her former school also helped her take an examination under one of the programs of the Department of Education so she can catch up and continue with her high school education after years of being away from school.

Shirley is optimistic that things will turn out all right for her and her loved ones. My future plan is to find work after school, to save for my sons future and to help my family who supported me all throughout those hardships in my life." And her counselors and peers at CMDP would be proud to see her succeed.

CMDP depends solely on grants and donations for the continuation of their programs. Those who wish to help may issue checks to: Ayala Foundation USA at 255 Shoreline Drive, Suite 128, Redwood City, CA 94065, USA. Donations may also be remitted online via www.lingkodpinoy.org.
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For more information about noteworthy projects in the Philippines, please call Myrna Araneta at (650) 598-3126 or e-mail us at afusa@ayalafoundation.org or visit our website at www.ayalafdnusa.org.