Madam, - Mr Kevin Stanley of the Irish Deaf Society, giving evidence to the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, argues that there is a link between not allowing deaf children to use sign language and sexual abuse (July 17th).
As a disability and abuse specialist in the UK and having managed a programme for six years on abuse of deaf children for the National Deaf Children's Society (UK) I think this "link" needs to be explained.
Several studies in America on abuse of deaf children show 54 per cent of deaf boys and 50 per cent of deaf girls are sexually abused in childhood - a far greater rate than non-deaf children.
These figures are probably true for deaf children in the UK and Ireland and although no studies have been conducted, this is what I have found in my own work in this area.
Not allowing sign language does not create a sex offender; however, it does give a sex offender more opportunities and safeguards. Whether there was a deliberate ploy to deny sign language so as to abuse these children would need careful study.
Deaf children find language difficult to grasp as they don't hear it! This means that through not having sign language, there is less opportunity to be able to convey to a hearing adult what is happening.
Deaf children who sign and have been given the skills to complain appropriately are in a far safer position.
Oral deaf children who are profoundly deaf and who do not benefit appreciably from hearing aids are ideal candidates for sexual abuse. I believe that not allowing deaf children to learn sign language leads to greater risk of abuse and constitutes neglect and infringement of the human right to freedom of expression.
I have met many so-called oral children whose speech was so poor they could not reliably give evidence in court following abuse. It is quite monstrous and quite unnecessary. - Yours, etc.,
MARGARET KENNEDY,
Well Street,
London E9 7PX.