Sexual Assault Response Services, YWCA of Hawaii Island and YWCA of Kauai ($400,000)
The requested funding would be split evenly between the YWCA of Hawaii Island and the YWCA of Kauai to help both organizations meet the needs of their respective communities.
The YWCAs of Hawaii Island and Kauai were founded in 1919 and 1921, respectively. Throughout their long histories, the organizations have provided continuous programs to serve the women and children on their islands. Each YWCA is independently chartered and operates
with 501(c)(3) not-for-profit status. These two organizations are also notable for serving the far southern and far northern, rural islands of the State of Hawaii. The combined population of the two islands is over 236,000.
The YWCA's programs include both intervention and prevention components. Their services are free to their communities and include: 24-hour sexual assault hotline with 24-hour on call crisis intervention; support to victims throughout the medical exam and legal process; individual and group therapeutic counseling; case management; and prevention education. In 2008, the sexual assault programs of YWCA of Hawaii Island and YWCA of Kauai assisted 1,600 clients and provided educational awareness to 2,600 individuals.
Recipient: YWCA of Hawaii Island
145 Ululani Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Why this is a good use of taxpayer dollars: Perpetrators of sexual assault and domestic violence often rely on the stigma that surrounds these crimes to keep their victims silent. Prevention and public awareness efforts are key to ending these violations. Public education efforts often encourage victims who have never previously disclosed their victimization to come forward to seek help, thereby creating a need to expand response services.
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