Janet DesGeorges

Janet DesGeorges

Executive Director, Hands & Voices Headquarters

[email protected]

Lessons Learned

• I have learned the importance of how to overcome the very stigma of even talking about child abuse and neglect (CA/N) .  I learned a great comment from KidPower’s ‘Put Safety FIRST’ founding principle that has sustained my involvement in child abuse and neglect issues:  “Safety and wellbeing are more important than ANYONE’S embarrassment, inconvenience, or offense!”.  People don’t like talking about this issue, but keeping child abuse issues in the dark only empowers the ability for perpetrators to act.
• I can make an impact in at least two ways – my own personal involvement and commitment to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to grow up safe, and get the help they need if they are a victim.   AND I can use my area of influence as a leader in my organization to ensure that everyone in our organization knows where to go, what to do, who can help in any situation, and has basic knowledge about CA/N in their day to day work at Hands & Voices. 
• I don’t need to be an expert in this field.  I can rely on the ‘bright spots’ in the world, and lean on others to help me understand the issues and prevention of CA/N, and also that I can connect my expertise in deafness with those who have expertise in Child Abuse and Neglect. 

Resources Developed

• IEP Safety Attachment: http://www.handsandvoices.org/resources/OUR/SafetyAttachmentPlanTemplat…
• Parent Safety Toolkit:  https://www.handsandvoices.org/pdf/OUR-Toolkit.pdf
• International statement on Children’s Safety:  https://www.gpodhh.org/site/user-assets/docs/GPODHH-safeguarding.pdf
• International statement:  Call to Action:  https://www.gpodhh.org/safeguarding-our-children-a-call-to-action
• Articles Archive from Hands & Voices:   https://www.hv-library.com/our/#gsc.tab=0

Suggested Resources

• O.U.R  resources at H&V in this area:  https://www.handsandvoices.org/resources/OUR/index.htm
• KidPower:   https://www.kidpower.org/
• Harold Johnson  [email protected]
• Child Help:  1-800- 4-A-CHILD   https://www.childhelp.org/

Collaborative Areas of Interest

• Practical Strategies for teachers to incorporate Children’s safety into the classroom
• How CEC can work with Hands & Voices to continue our commitment to ending child abuse and neglect. 
• Coordinating conversations about bullying that can open doors to conversations about CA/N.