Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a $447,000 grant for the Advocacy Services for Abused Deaf Victims (ASADV) in Monroe County. The funding was allocated through the Department of Justice (DOJ), Office on Violence Against Women and will be used in collaboration with the Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley (GAGV) to create more outreach services and resources for deaf and hard of hearing survivors of domestic and sexual violence, including those in the deaf LGBTQ community. Additionally, ASADV will provide direct services, such as counseling, advocacy, and support groups, to deaf and hard of hearing survivors of domestic and sexual violence as well as community education workshops and programs.
“This money is absolutely critical to better protect victims of sexual violence and rape who are deaf and hard of hearing,” said Senator Schumer. “Survivors of these tragic, life-endangering situations don’t just need a safe place to stay, they need comprehensive services that can help them get back on their feet and move forward with confidence. The Advocacy Services for Abused Deaf Victims (ASADV) of Monroe County will help by providing safe, supportive services, including counseling, advocacy, and support groups, to the survivors of domestic and sexual violence. I have long fought for this kind of funding and will continue to do so in the future.”
“This is an important investment that will help so many people impacted by domestic violence and sexual violence,” said Senator Gillibrand. “When we do more to protect all survivors of sexual and domestic violence we can help put their lives back together, and keep more New Yorkers safe. This funding is particularly important because it provides our deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind survivors with the support and resources they need to seek justice.”
“Advocacy Services for Abused Deaf Victims (ASADV) is extremely honored and humbled to receive this $447,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. Our team is very excited about the collaboration with the Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley to address domestic and sexual violence in the Deaf LGBTQ community as well as the larger Deaf community,” said Erin Esposito, Executive Director of ASADV. “We deeply appreciate Senator Gillibrand’s support of ASADV, her passion and commitment to address sexual violence in our military and on our college campuses. Together, we all can create the positive change we wish to see in our respective communities, for it is high noon time to work together in putting an end to domestic and sexual violence.”
The Monroe County ASADV provides services to deaf and hard of hearing survivors by offering counseling, support groups, safety plans, medical services, legal support, and court advocates. ASADV also provides community education and training for area professionals. All of their services are provided in American Sign Language (ASL).
The grant program was created through the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) of 2013 to develop and implement outreach strategies targeted at adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in underserved populations; and to provide victim services to meet the needs of such populations.