Second, the banquet brought to Rochester deaf community together, Scores of people from NTID, RSD, and elsewhere united to show the community’s support for the ASADV organization. They also had the opportunity to socialize and realize how important it was to support each other together. Such diverse backgrounds make Rochester a true mecca for deaf people!

Third, even as the chairpersons made sure that everyone had a grand time, they ensured that the evening focused on domestic violence issues by inviting author Risa Shaw to speak to the attendees about brother-sister incest. She was one of the best speakers I have ever seen, and the audience response to Ms. Shaw’s presentation was overwhelming. Many attendees later said that Ms. Shaw did an excellent job talking about a very sensitive topic without making anyone feel uncomfortable.

Ms. Shaw opened her presentation by saying that she did not want to be called a victim. Instead, she said, she believed that she is a survivor in every sense. “Survive well,” she declared. She was very animated and eloquent, especially when she shared some though-provoking stories about her book Not Child’s Play: An Anthology on Brother-Sister Incest.

Speaking from the perspective of an only child, I was appalled at the fact that sibling incest even exists. As a mother of two, I am already so fascinated with how my nearly four-year-old daughter bonds with her little 5-month-old brother. Their relationship will provide them the foundation for a lifetime of powerful – and, I hope, positive – memories. Even as I savor my role as their stay-at-home mother, I feel strongly responsible to make sure that they stay emotionally (as well as physically) healthy.

Ms. Shaw delved into that most complicated of relations, that between brothers and sisters, which many adults often overlook. She discussed how often parents misuse their power and responsibility to allow things such as incest to happen. Also, she explained that because sibling incest has been a taboo subject for so long, it is high time that we not only become aware of it, but also discuss it openly and help those who have survived it.

If you want to learn more about sibling incest or know someone who needs help with such issues, please visit http://www.LunchboxPress.org/order.htm to order “Not Child’s Play: An Anthology on Brother-Sister Incest.” The cost is $15 dollars, and Ms Shaw generously donates 25% of the proceeds to ASADS, if you mention ASADV on your check.

I have a confession to make to you: I let my daughter watch her favorite “Blue’s Clues” tape as much as she wanted one morning last week so I could finish reading Ms. Shaw’s book! Otherwise I would have read the same paragraph over and over with my kids’ interruptions! The book is simple and as powerful as a punch to the gut, and is definitely worth your support, the book will be the best gift you can give a loved one grappling with these issues.

Now you can see why I and everyone else had a grand night at the ASADV Benefit Dinner! Everyone who worked so hard to make the banquet an exciting and meaningful event did an excellent job! Hands up to them!