Domestic violence in Hawaii impacts lives and business

This op-ed by Nanci Kreidman, M.A., CEO of the Domestic Violence Action Center, explores the way domestic violence at home spills over into the workplace. A timely viewpoint as the Men's March Against Violence takes place in Downtown Honolulu on Thursday.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and this designation creates the opportunity to engage our community in a spirited discussion about the complexity, cost and impact of domestic violence on health, business, crime, children and the future. The attention focused on domestic violence, brought about by recent national and local news about domestic violence in the shadows of the NFL and the Honolulu Police Department, is a reminder that more work must be done to deepen understanding and bring about constructive change. This year Honolulu is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Annual Men's March Against Violence. On October 23, men will participate in this event to demonstrate their solidarity with community partners dedicated to bringing peace to island families.

It has long been understood that safety net community programs cannot solve this problem alone. The involvement of other sectors: academia, faith based, health care and business is critical. Domestic violence goes with its families to school, work, church and the doctor. Crime, ill health, educational functioning, behavioral dysfunction, have their roots in a violent home. Shame, terror, immobilization, and hopelessness haunt its victims. A supportive community, with access to help and accountability for perpetrators is desperately needed to adequately alleviate the problem.