COM 0193.003 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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--'"C` RECENED ~ TO: COUNTY OF HAWAII n~__^ Y Date_-----1-~--------------~.._... -w., ~n4! Council ' The Hawaii Island YWCA Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS) founded.in 1978, because of the concern of our community for the plight of sexual assault survivors, continues to address this grave concern for Big Island residents. From March 1996 to February 1997, SASS provided services to 442 callers, and provided urgent caze and support to thirty-three (33) minors and twelve (12) adults. This represents 67% increase from the same period last year. This does itgt include contacts with the professionals in our community. Services aze provided to minors and adults of all ages and their family members at facilities located in Hilo at the HIYWCA, and in Kona at the Village Professional Building. Upon request we provide advocacy and support at the Police Departments, and the Children's Advocacy Center in both East and West Hawaii. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners/Sexual Assault Response Team founded as a result of the well publicized five hour wait for no medical exam, continues to provide timely professional response to victims. The benefits this program brings to our community is that the survivors will receive immediate attention, urgent care and crisis stabilization in the utmost privacy in both East and West Hawaii hospitals. The Sexual Assault Support Service further provides a 24 hour hotline. This hotline provides information on how to obtain help and give support to survivors who will n come forward, but who need to talk about their feelings of fear and powerlessness. Often survivors experience disturbance in sleep, nightmares, and other symptoms of post traumatic stress. They can experience eating disorders, repeated intrusive thoughts, including those of suicide. Beyond the emotional repercussions survivors have had to endure the physical trauma which includes exposure to sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. Teen therapy groups have been implemented to assist our adolescents in expressing their feelings and experiences in a safe and confidential group setting. The group process also helps us deliver more service to more clients efficiently. The SASS Prevention Educator presented an educational program to 7,564 children under the age of eighteen and 835 adults between March 1996 and February 1997. SASS participated in an exceptional play, "No More Secrets" which toured the island reaching 38 public schools in October and November of `96. We expect an increase in reported assaults because S.A.N.E. provides prosecutable forensic evidence. With stronger evidence more cases will go to trial and receive convictions. Future victims will be more likely to report assaults because something can be done. There will also be an increase as the stress of unemployment and welfare reform create a sense of powerlessness that can result in crimes of abuse of power. X10. 193.03. rcx~,.~a. MSf.CG. ltl:~~. To:.-.,..._...w_. Ee,. [rate__ MAR~1 9 1997