Did you know that Deaf individuals are 1.5x more likely to be victims of relationship violence—including sexual harassment, sexual assault, psychological abuse, and physical abuse—than the general population? Come see a powerful presentation about how domestic violence and sexual assault affect the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, as well as the resources and challenges for such survivors who seek justice via the law.
 
Michele Cunningham is the Victim Advocate at Chicago Hearing Society, a division of Anixter Center. She works with Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing victims of crimes in Chicagoland Area—providing short-term counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy in various settings (e.g., police, hospitals, court), and referrals to appropriate community resources for services. Ms. Cunningham has a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice from Central Connecticut State University.

Michelle Mendiola-McKinnie is the Youth Program Manager and Domestic Violence Advocate at Chicago Hearing Society. She works with Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing adults and children who are victims of domestic violence—providing short-term counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy in various settings (e.g., police, hospitals, court), referrals to appropriate community resources for services, and community education. A graduate of University of Illinois at Chicago, Michelle is personally and professionally active in the Deaf community.