HONOLULU — Gov. Josh Green signed a proclamation on March 20, declaring April 2023 as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month,” as part of a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about sexual violence.

On April 4, SAAM sign-waving events coordinated by the Hawaii Department of Health and a number of partner agencies are scheduled to take place on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, Kauai and Molokai.


What You Need To Know

  • In the state of Hawaii, 1,714 adults and children received specialized services from sexual assault centers, and 2,472 calls were made to the state’s sex assault center hotlines in 2022

  • Sign-waving events are scheduled for April 4 on Oahu, Hawaii Island, Maui, Kauai and Molokai

  • To learn more about the sign-waving events and statewide sexual violence prevention and treatment services, visit the Sex Abuse Treatment Center website

“Foundations for the Future” is the theme that aims toward a future without sexual violence through healthy relationships and safe communities. Throughout April, Hawaii DOH and its partners will provide training, events and activities statewide, bringing awareness to the “continuum of sexual violence from primary prevention to response and intervention,” according to a DOH news release.

“Sexual violence is common and starts early,” said Joanne Higashi, coordinator of the DOH Sexual Violence Prevention Program. “Stopping all forms of sexual violence before it begins is the goal of primary prevention activities.”

On the nationwide front, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports more than half of women and nearly one in three men have experienced sexual violence that involved physical contact during their lifetimes; one in three women and about one in nine men have experienced sexual harassment in a public place; one in four women and one in 26 men have experienced rape or attempted rape; and over four in five rape survivors reported they were raped before the age of 25 and nearly half were raped as a minor.

Statewide in Hawaii, 1,714 adults and children received specialized services from sexual assault centers, and 2,472 calls were made to the state’s sex assault center hotlines in 2022.

“SAAM is our opportunity to recognize that sexual violence is preventable and impacts everyone in our community regardless of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or disability,” said Paula Chun, executive director of the Hawaii Coalition Against Sexual Assault (HCASA).

SAAM sign-waving events on April 4 will take place at the following times and locations.

Oahu

  • State Capitol Building, 415 S. Beretania St, 7:30-8:30 a.m.
  • Waianae Neighborhood Place, 85-888 Farrington Hwy., 7-8 a.m., 808-696-4598

Hawaii Island

  • YWCA Hawaii Island
  • Contact Anthony for information, 808-854-0322

Maui

  • In front of the State Building, 54 South High St., Wailuku, 4:15-5:15 p.m.
  • Contact Lindsey, CFS Maui Sexual Assault Center, 808-264-3630

Kauai

  • Kauai County Building, 4396 Rice St., Lihue, noon-1 p.m.
  • Contact Amber, YWCA Kauai, 808-245-5959 ext. 238

Molokai

  • Kaunakakai Library, 4:30-5:30 p.m. every Wed. in April
  • Contact Titi, MCAPP, 808-658-9629

To learn more about the sign-waving events and statewide sexual violence prevention and treatment services, visit the Sex Abuse Treatment Center website.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.