COM 0140.004 2000-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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OJ/20/01 14 21 FAI 9812JT2 HILO VICE f~02 March 20, 2001 Honorable Harry Kim Mayor County of Hawaii County Council County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Mayor Him and Council Members: I am writing in support of the Violence Against Children Act (VACA) team at the Prosecutor's Office. i worked personally with each member of this team over a lour year pesiod while investigatioq sexual assault cases involving children. I was disappointed to leazn recently that this group may soon be disbanded. They have proven to be invaluable in their coordinated approach to victims tramautized by others, in many cases people in whom the victims had so willingly and naturally given their trust. One cae• ¦tands out in my mind most. Without disclosing any details which may compromise the confidentiality of the ~ vietiet'e identity, I will shaze with you how the VACA team ~ affected the victim's mental well-being and prosecution of the offender. One day I wa• assigned to meet with a victim who had bean eeuually assaulted as a child, and was nos an adult. The victim gave a few details of the assault with thm idea that the statement alone would be sufficient to get the suspect off the street and prevent him from hurting other children in the community. When the victim learned that more steps would need to be taken, my calls did not get returned. The Deputy Prosecutor and Victim Counselor readily agreed to help me get the victim to a point where the lnvaetigation could proceed without adding to the trauma already experienced. To make a long story short, due to the efforts of the VACA unit, the investigation was completed and the suspect ~ indicted and incarcerated. 1 The VACA team playa a vital role in Hawaii County's battle to protect our children from sexual predators in our cosslunity. Thank you for your time. Since el Ra~1~~ roe G/' ~