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1855 South Hale O Kea Street <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> March 21, 2001 <br /> MAYOR HARRY KIM and MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL <br /> My name is Lorna Ita, and I am currently employed at the Prosecutor's Office as a Legal <br /> Clerk in the Career Criminal Unit. I was, however, initially hired by this office as the Secretary <br /> for the Violence Against Children Act Unit (VACA Unit). I have worked as the Secretary for <br /> 1 % years. I was very honored to have worked for this specialized team as it mainly focuses on <br /> <br /> prosecuting perpetrators who preys on innocent children and holding offenders accountable for <br /> <br /> their immoral criminal acts. <br /> Prior to my employment under the VACA Umt, I was totally naive as to the serious <br /> degree of violence and abuse that young, innocent and helpless victims endure at the hands of <br /> <br /> their perpetrators <br /> Through the course of my employ as Secretary, I came across cases of abuse that were <br /> incomprehensible beyond belief. <br /> One particular case that vividly stands out in my mind is one where BOTH parents were <br /> fiilfillrng their vile sexual pleasures on therr own daughter! The daughter is forever stripped of <br /> her own innocence and deprived of her childhood. The two most important people she could <br /> count on for protection violated her in the most heinous and unthinkable way. <br /> I was dumbfounded and literally sick in my stomach when I came across this case I <br /> could not come to grip that abuse such as this was reality and happening rn our own community. <br /> This type of abuse bewrlders me, not only as a concerned citizen but also as a mother of <br /> three young boys. Children look to their parents for love, support, guidance and as protectors <br /> from harm's way <br /> The above case is only one of many. I am saddened that these types of abuse are probably <br /> occurring as I am writing this letter to you. <br /> <br />