Understanding the Needs of the Victims of Sexual Assault in the Deaf Community A Needs Assessment and Audit

Abstract Research has just begun to explore sexual violence in culturally diverse communities. Understanding the impact of sexual violence in culturally Deaf communities is often overlooked and considered an undeveloped area of inquiry. Such research calls for exploratory approaches using qualitative methods and cultural competency when conducting the research activities. Hearing culture tends to define Deafness as a disability and as such, research has focused on studying disability populations as a whole without acknowledging the unique character of cultural Deafness. This paradigm may contribute to some of the isolation issues faced by the Deaf community.