Community offers help against domestic violence
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The domestic murder at a Kohala resort last Monday spurred a local organization to speak out against domestic abuse and violence.
Tuesday, the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence reminded our community that abuse can affect anyone. They urge people to talk about abuse and report any incidents to police, but they realize many victims are too scared to ask for help.
A spokesperson for the HSCADV, Janelle Oishi, expressed, "The amount of fear is completely justified that an individual faces when they are considering a choice to try to get out of a violent relationship."
Hawaii's Attorney General, David Louie, added, "If you see domestic abuse, report it. If you know of domestic abuse, counsel the victims to seek help. There can be help, they can break through the wall of fear that exists."
This year, Hawaii's law enforcement community helped push forward a bill that increases penalties for abusers.
Head to http://www.hscadv.org/ for several resources including emergency hotlines on each island, and where to go for counseling.
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