Written by Loraine Ho
I clambered up the stairs as rapid-fire bass riffs and guttural screams filled Anna Bannana’s. The bouncer marked me with the obligatory “under-21” black X marks on the backs of my hands.
All of this seemed routine, except for where my entry fee went that night. The Sex Abuse Treatment Center collected the proceeds from the [respect] show, to help abuse victims receive free counseling and medical care.
“Sexual violence is often shrouded in secrecy,” said Rachel Block, a representative of the Sex Abuse Treatment Center. Her co-workers sat near the stage bringing this problem to light by handing out free pamphlets, pens and stickers, all marked with the resounding theme—respect.
Staff members of the Sex Abuse Treatment Center pose.
Local rock bands O’D’M, Ciot’s B.F.F., Arson Recoil, The Malcognitas, A Hollow Union, and The 86 List provided a wall-shattering soundscape for the entire evening.
Block took to the mic in between sets, to describe the 600 men and women her organization sees every year. “Sexual violence does not discriminate. We provide counseling and a 24-hour hotline,” she detailed. Block also described their special section of ER at Kapi‘olani Medical Center, which is used to provide victims with forensic tests after rape.
Jennifer Mitchell, another SATC staff member, described how A Hollow Union initially approached them about hosting a benefit concert. This effort garnered the band attention from Midweek to KGMB9 News. In past interviews, lead singer Mike Higa and band manager Lee Miyashiro referred to personal experiences that made them empathetic to the SATC cause.
Higa and Miyashiro of A Hollow Union
While rock shows and awareness education may seem like an unlikely duo, they shouldn’t. If the high-energy success of the [respect] benefit is any indication, hopefully music fans will see more of these altruistic collaborations in the future.
The Sex Abuse Treatment Center’s 24-Hour Crisis Hotline can be reached at: 808 524-7273
No comments:
Post a Comment