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Taboo No More
by Diane Dash

In 1981 a local deaf woman — a victim of repeated domestic abuse — was murdered by her husband. At the time, many in the community were aware something was wrong but were hesitant to get involved, believing it to be a private matter between husband and wife. Services for victims of assault were available, but of little use to non-hearing victims.

The murder convinced another local deaf woman and rape survivor that it was time for a change. She quit her job, collected her friends together and cleared out some office space in her basement. What resulted was the first organization in the world specifically for deaf and deaf-blind victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. “I decided this was the best way to channel the anger I had,” says Marilyn J. Smith, founder of the Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services, or ADWAS.

Now in its twenty-first year, ADWAS has helped 22,000 women, men and children through advocacy, training and education, and has become a national model for similar programs in 15 other cities. One of its most recent accomplishments is the completion of “A Place of Our Own,” an $8.6 million transitional housing facility for deaf and deaf-blind women and children who are victims of domestic or sexual abuse.

Smith, who is now ADWAS Executive Director, has received numerous awards and recognition for her work. In 1996 she traveled to Washington, D.C. to receive the National Crime Victims Rights award from then-President Bill Clinton. “Going to the White House and meeting President Clinton was definitely a highlight in my professional career,” says Smith. “I am generally not in awe of famous people but in this case I sure was!” Smith also used this opportunity to do some networking with a few Federal Department of Justice employees who were at the award events. Through this she obtained a DOJ grant to train people in other cities in how to start and run organizations utilizing the ADWAS model. A victim’s coalition and network was also established, helping to streamline and raise awareness nationwide about the needs of non-hearing victims of assault.

Most recently, she was one of 17 people selected (out of 1200 nominations) to receive the Ford Foundation’s Leadership for a Changing World Award. “When the news came that I was chosen, I cried,” says Smith. “I felt this would give ADWAS — and the plight of abused deaf victims — much needed national visibility. It was an awesome experience for me to be among other leaders doing equally important social change work. Of course the $100,000 award was great for our [“A Place of Our Own”] capital campaign.”

What seems to be just as important to Smith as fighting for the rights of victims is educating the hearing public about the culture and community of deaf citizens. One of their defining beliefs is that they are a cultural minority — and one that is not in need of being “fixed.” American Sign Language (ASL) — the third most “spoken” language in the U.S. — incorporates communication with values, rules of behavior and traditions. “We are strong on storytelling to pass on our history and shared experiences,” says Smith.

However, the challenges of the community are many, and mostly involve overcoming biases and stereotypes such as lowered expectations and/or assumptions that loss of hearing means loss of intelligence. Issues such as a lack of sign language interpreters also present obstacles.

Longtime friend and ADWAS volunteer Rob Roth is thankful that someone like Smith stepped up to the plate as an advocate for their community. Roth, who is hard of hearing but culturally identifies as deaf, first met Smith at a deaf arts and theatre festival in 1980. Roth remembers Smith’s “openness, friendliness and hilarious sense of humor…” and that the event featured “the most delicious chicken legs I’d ever eaten.”

At Smith’s request, Roth became a male advocate for boys and gay male victims of domestic violence or sexual assault, and the first man to go through the special training for advocates. “It turned out to be a life-transforming event for me in facing some demons from my childhood. I’ll always be grateful to ADWAS and Marilyn for that.”

After 27 years of friendship, Roth continues to be amazed by Smith’s drive. “Marilyn just inspires people to believe that they can do what’s needed and more. People gravitate towards her personality, and want to work with her. And Marilyn never fails to thank people for their work, in person, through her cooking, and in acknowledgments to the public at gatherings of all types.”

Smith herself has no regrets about the choices she’s made. “I had no idea if I could succeed with ADWAS; but I knew I had to do something no matter what — and to hell with the obstacles. I didn’t want to go through life not trying something that sang to my heart,” she says. “This work has further resolved my belief that deaf people should lead other deaf people. I love how this specific work has spread all over deaf America where sexual assault and domestic violence were once taboo topics.”

Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy’s 24/7 hotline is at 800-787-3224 (accessible by TTY only).

For further information about ADWAS please visit adwas.org.

Diane Dash is a Seattle-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to Seattle Woman.

©2007 Caliope Publishing Company