Combating Domestic Violence: A Call to Action for Kauaʻi

Domestic Violence Awareness Month serves as a vital platform for the community to educate themselves on preventing domestic violence and to lend unwavering support to the organizations and individuals tirelessly working to aid victims and survivors. At YWCA Kauaʻi, we are dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. We center victims and survivors as we raise awareness, rally support, and push for action on our island. We commend the courage of survivors, the unwavering dedication of advocates, and the solidarity of our community. In May of 2023, the United States White House unveiled the inaugural U.S. National Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, an ambitious initiative that highlights the alarming reality that gender-based violence is not only a public safety concern, but also a public health crisis. The impact of domestic violence echoes across the United States and the Hawaiian islands. Last year, the Kauaʻi Police Department conducted 266 lethality screens as part of the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP), which is an effective evaluation method used to predict the likelihood of serious injury or death resulting from domestic violence. Of the 266 assessments, 144 victims (approximately 54%) were determined to be at high risk of serious injury or death from an abusive partner. It is important to recognize that domestic violence transcends gender boundaries. While the majority of victims of domestic violence are women, we must not overlook the men who are victimized by domestic violence. In 2022, 8% of individuals who sought refuge at the YWCA Kauaʻi Family Violence Shelter and 8% of individuals who utilized YWCA Kauaʻi Crisis Services to obtain a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) were men. Although men often suffer in silence due to social pressures, they are not immune to the traumatic effects of domestic violence. Domestic violence significantly impacts people of color, with Native Hawaiian and Indigenous populations bearing a disproportionate burden. Despite comprising only 21% of Hawaiʻi’s population, Native Hawaiians and Indigenous Americans account for 37.6% of adults who endure physical violence from an intimate partner (Source: Cristobal, 2022). In 2022, 56% of residents at the YWCA Kauaʻi Family Violence Shelter identified as all or part Native Hawaiian or Indigenous American. YWCA Kauaʻi extends a heartfelt invitation to our entire community to join YWCA’s Week Without Violence October 16-21, 2023: NOT ON OUR SCREENS. NOT IN OUR STREETS. A MOVEMENT TOWARD VIOLENCE-FREE COMMUNITIES. Let us unite in raising awareness, uplifting survivors, and eliminating violence. Break the cycle:Domestic violence affects not only individuals but entire families. Let's work together to create a safer, healthier environment for everyone. Empower the next generation with strong communication skills and prioritize the safety and well-being of your family. Commit to a safer and healthier future today. Get the support you deserve:If you or someone you care about is facing domestic violence, seek help. Our dedicated team at YWCA Kauaʻi is available 24/7 to provide confidential assistance and guidance. Making that initial contact can be daunting, but remember, you're not alone on this journey. Visit ywcakauai.org to chat with us on the web or call our confidential 24-hour hotline at (808) 245-6362.