September 1994	Women & Guns 

Dear Self-Reliant Reader,

SHAME 

	Shame. Shame Shame.

	These were the words signed by a friend of mine, Ishwari
Silberman, while we discussed another recent horror story about the
continuing violence against women. (By chance, she has a comment in
Letters to the Editor this month.)

	Gallaudet University is located in our nation's capital,
Washington, D.C. Its campus is sweeping with stately buildings and
lush landscaped vistas.  It is a unique place.  It is a special place.
It is a place of hope.

	It symbolizes the equality promised in our United States
Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

	Gallaudet University is the institution of higher learning
dedicated to the empowerment of deaf individuals.

	Students at Gallaudet University use American Sign Language to
communicate.  As a hearing individual, I view A.S.L. as a series of
hand movements and gestures, sometimes accompanied by facial
expressions that signify certain words, phrases or emotions.  Just as
with spoken communication, one can convey anger, sadness, humor or
love. It is a beautiful language in its silence and having been
minimally exposed to it, I am enthralled by its simplicity and
complexity.

	Behind the peaceful quiet of Gallaudet University is another
silence.  The silence of date rape, acquaintance rape and sexual
assault.

	Lest you think that I am singling out this university, my Self
Reliant Reader, be assured that I am aware that this is a serious
problem all over the country.  According to an article titled Silent
Screams, "one college woman in six will be a victim of rape or
attempted rape in her college years." (People Magazine, 6/20/94)

	According to Gallaudet students quoted in Silent Screams,
there is as many as one rape per weekend in the freshman dorms of the
campus of 2200 students.  These alleged sexual assaults are by one
student on another student. Or as my friend Ishwari explained, "Deaf
on Deaf."

	One student related her story in detail in the article named
above.  She was a 23-year old junior and a Student Resident Assistant
who counseled other students in her dorm.  A male SRA suggested that
they study together in his room.  She agreed.

	When coming out of the bathroom, he assaulted and raped her.
She tried to push him away.  She told him "no" several times.  When he
realized what he had done, he pleaded with her not to tell anyone.
But she didn't listen to him anymore than he had listened to her.

	She was taken to the school infirmary the next day and later
to the D.C. police.  Accompanied the following day by a campus
security officer, she had to type her own statement at the police
station.  The police officer orally said that her case was not strong
enough to consider.  There was no interpreter, no questioning of the
victim, no investigation of the alleged crime..

	The young woman refused to let the matter stand.  She took her
case to the campus administrative board and was granted a hearing.
Another student present at the hearing was quoted as saying "that when
the accused testified, he more or less admitted he attacked (the young
woman). He said, 'Maybe she said no, but I didn't see it.'"

	According to the victim, "The verdict said I did not use the
word 'force,' even though I described in detail what he had done to
me."

 	I. King Jordan, the University's first deaf president, was
appointed in 1988.  His comment concerning sexual assault (as
interpreted by an assistant trained in American Sign Language) was, "I
have never heard that there is an atmosphere of fear and intimidation
at Gallaudet regarding this issue."  He continued, "Sexual assault is
a national problem. It exists at Georgetown, it exists at Harvard, and
it exists here. If a woman at Gallaudet faces sexual assault, it
should not happen."

	Jordan is right. It is unfortunate that Gallaudet University,
established as a haven of safety and a road of hope for hearing
impaired individuals, should be involved in covering up such heinous
crimes.  One can only assume that they believe that they are in some
way taking care of their students by hiding this shame.

	It is time that the female students at Gallaudet, whether deaf
from birth, hearing impaired or victims of latent adult deafness, band
together with members of the faculty, hearing or not, and demand
empowerment.

	It is far past time when all women demand to be safe from
physical harm.  And when the men in their lives demand the same for
them, their offspring and themselves.

	It is time for us to take a stand for ourselves.  We must
realize that we, and only we can_and will_be responsible for our
personal safety.

	I do not choose to be a victim.  I choose to be a woman with
power and I will use whatever means I need to attain this goal.

	I choose to carry a firearm in certain situations.  At other
times, I carry other self protection devices.  It is my choice. And
Self Reliant Reader, choice must also be yours.

	P.S. Ronica thanks for everything. AJG I hope you continue
with your signing. Miss Splendiferous, Miss Spectacular and Mr.
Stupendous may you always be empowered. To AMG, thank you for helping
me to empower myself.