Domestic Violence: Raising Awareness

Domestic violence is an undiscriminating, devastating act, whose victims/survivors are those who are or have been involved in an “intimate relationship” with their abuser-in heterosexual and homosexual relationships.  

This could be a current or former spouse, partner, boyfriend or girlfriend.  Domestic violence is the systematic use of coercion, threats, intimidation, and domination to maintain power and control over an intimate partner.  The tactics used may include verbal, psychological, economic, physical and /or sexual violence.

Domestic violence knows no bounds.  People from all ethnic, religious, educational and social backgrounds can be both victims or batterers.  1200-1500 women are murdered by a current or former partner every year in the United States, which is an average of nearly 3 murders a day.  

This year in Hawaii, there have been thirteen deaths associated with domestic violence as of September 24, 2010. Currently, there are nine domestic violence shelters statewide and domestic violence services on all islands. 

Due to a lack of resources, many programs in Hawaii reported a critical shortage of funds and staff to assist victims in need of services such as housing, child care, mental health and substance abuse counseling, and legal representation. 

Raising awareness is vital to ending domestic violence.  The Hawai’i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence is joining many organizations throughout the state and the nation to observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Often times, domestic violence occurs behind closed doors.  

This year’s theme “peace begins at home” aims at promoting awareness to communities across the state of Hawaii.  We hope that by creating peaceful homes, the entire community will benefit from each of its members living lives that are safe and free of violence.  We hope that by brining awareness to this issue, and by advocating for the importance of safety for each and every member of our community, that we will begin to heal the violence that has occurred, and prevent future suffering.

For more information call: 808/832-9316, or visit www.hscadv.org for confidential help.

DVAM Events October 2010: 

·       October 1^st:  DVAM Proclamation Launch Ceremony

o   Tamarind Park (Bishop Square) 11a-1p

·       October 27^th:  Candlelight Vigil

o   McCoy Pavilion 5p-7p