Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 37, Number 6, 1 June 2020 — Safe Families = Safe Communities [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Safe Families = Safe Communities

Renewed and strengthened, these victorious wēhine celebrate their graduation from the Ho'oikaika 'Ohana program for domestic violence survivors. - Photos: Courtesy of DVAC

Addressing Domestic Violence By Marsha Heu Bolson "l'd neverbeen to a courthouse before, ever. I\vas so terrified every time I had to be there. Julie helped me by showing me breathing techniques and helping me to keep everything in perspective. She often just showed up early so that we could walk into the courthouse together. Her moral support was a priceless reassurance in such an intimidating environment. I am so grateful to her and the DVAC team, who helped piek me up and prepared me to go out there and take on life again." - Domestic VioIence survivor, 2020 Over the last few months, we have been consumed with fears and anxiety over C0VID-19. In addition to inflicting dire physical illness and death, the pandemic has increased threats that domestic violence (DV) victims face, trapped in their own homes with their abusive partner. Nanei Kreidman, CE0 of the Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC), says, "'Safer at home' is not necessarily true for everyone." Kreidman said the DVAC Helpline has experienced a 68% increase in calls and a 77% increase in website hits since February. In April alone, DVAC received 230 Helpline calls, a 28% increase over last year; their client contacts increased 485% (3,038 compared to 519 in April 2019) and DVAC has created 1,066 Safety Plans. There has been a staggering rise in domestic violence worldwide, too. On April 6, United Nations Secretary-General Anīonio Guterres called for measures to address a "horrifying global surge in domestic violence" directed towards women and girls linked to government lockdowns. And in early April, poliee departments across the country reported spikes

in domestic violence cases. Experts believe the increases in DV are almost certainly underreported because some victims cannot get away from their abusers to eall for help. Native Hawaiians Impacted by DV Signiflcantly More than Other Ethnicities Even prior to the pandemic, the single largest ethnic group receiving support from DVAC were Native Hawaiians. Statistics from 2019 show that 25% of Helpline callers and 27% of victims who received long-term advocacy services identified as Native Hawaiian. Nearly one-fourth of Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) petitioners assessed as DV victims identified as Hawaiian, as did 23% of victims receiving Legal services. Between April 1-May 8, 2020, DVAC had more than 250 contacts with Native Hawaiian clients. How do we Achieve Long-term Change? Ironically, the pandemic has raised new awareness about just how tenuous harmony and safety are in our homes and families. To address this problem, Congress set aside $47 million for domestic violence in the March 27th $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package. But more than money is required. Kreidman envisions several important steps that ean help. 1. Safe Families = Safe Communities. "Communities must understand that safe families are at the core of a healthy community," says Kreidman. Domestic violence does not discriminate - all ethnicities, ages and socio-eco-nomie groups are affected, including children. Especially in times of unprecedented stress and trauma, it's important to support DV survivors and not judge or blame them for their decisions. With greater understanding and acceptance of the undiscriminating nature of DV, victims are more likely to seek help without the fear of shame and retribution. 2. Identify and Mitigate the Consequences of DV. The

powerful and damaging consequences of DV are not well understood. When a victim finally decides to leave her abuser, she may be instantly homeless with no ability to support herself or her children. To eope with the violence, victims may succumb to chngs or aleohol, or develop eating disorders. Children of DV often live in constant terror and have difficulty functioning in school or may themselves live out a pattern of intergenerational abuse. Emotional and psychological impacts are never as obvious as physieal injuries. Broader understanding of the consequences of domestic violence could lead to more comprehensive strategies to address the problem. 3. Families Under Stress Can Choose a Different Path. Healing and restoring Hawaiian families torn apart by domestic violence is most successful when anchored in Native Hawaiian values and practices. In a culture-based approach, family members choose to move forward together with self-respect, respect for eaeh other, and a commitment to focus on healing, restoring stability, personal growth, and rebuilding relationships with 'ohana. (See related article).

4. It is Important We All Do Our Part. DVAC implores all community-based organizations, allies, businesses, law enforcement, clergy and medical professionals to actively look for red flags of abuse. Reach out to friends, family, co-workers or neighbors who may be in danger and simply ask them how they are doing. Suggest a plan, a simple code word or an image that they ean send you to signal distress or that they need help. Check on loved ones and acquaintances, let them know you care, and plan for ways to get them help. There is Hope. There is Help. The challenges continue as DVAC and other community service providers help DV survivors on their long journey to family safety and peaee. Using technology and following social distancing rules, direct services and client support continues with greater urgency than ever before. Advocacy for victims and their families, more public education, professional training and system reform will also continue, hopefully, with increased community awareness and financial support. If you'd like to help, please contact DVAC. Mahalo nui loa. • Main Number (808) 534-0040 • HelpLine (808)531-3771 • Toll-Free HelpLine (800) 690-6200 • TEXT Help (605) 956-5680 (24/7) • https://domesticviolenceactioncenter.org (24/7) ■ Marsha Heu Bolson is a retired communications professional with educational degrees in FineArts and International Business. After more than 30years ofservice at Kameliameha Schools, she now enjoys volunteeringfor non-profit organizations, and pursuing hobbies and interests she never had time for while working. Slie is a longtime Windward O 'ahu resident and now resides in He 'eia.