COM 0521.017 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Sex assault services are provided by four programs throughout the state: one each on the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai. The continuum of services includes crisis intervention, counseling, medical services, and legal advocacy. Table 12 illustrates the direct service contacts for adult female sex assault victims statewide; however, it should be noted that the numbers are a reflection of individuals who are accessing the services, and where there is the availability of services for sexual assault victims. Over the past several years, the waning State economy has resulted in cuts to crisis and treatment funding services to sexual assault services agencies. The deficit budgeting required providers to seek other sources of funding, including VAWA grants, to maintain basic services to victims.. The situation has been coupled with a difficulty faced by the service agencies in recruiting and retaining therapists, who receive much higher compensation through insurance or third -party reimbursement. Table 12 STATEWIDE SERVICES FOR ADULT FEMALE SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS Type of Service FY 1998 1 FY 1999 FY 2000 FY 2001 Crisis Phone Intakes (all calls) 2,760 2,245 2,153 2,446 Crisis Stabilization/Crisis Counseling 577 509 556 445 Clinical/Legal Advocacy (new/pending cases) 1,472 807 731 727 Source: Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children D. Stalking Hawaii enacted two new sections in the stalking statute in 2003. Harassment by stalking, a misdemeanor (HRS § 711.1106.5), requires that the perpetrator only intend "to harass, annoy or alarm a victim, or engage in a pattern of behavior involving pursuit, surveillance or non- consensual contact more that once without lawful purpose". A credible threat to harm is no longer required, and the "non-consensual contact" extends the type of common behavior or method of contact that can be cited for arrest. Aggravated Harassment by Stalking (HRS § 711- 1106.4) is a class C felony, in which the perpetrator has a prior conviction for harassment by stalking within the past five years of the present offense. The victim of harassment need not be the same from the prior offense. Both of these changes will make it easier to pursue cases of stalking. Thus far, there have not been any arrests or convictions under the new statutes, although law enforcement personnel are reporting a number of ongoing investigations statewide. There were no previous arrests under the old statutes for either harassment by stalking or aggravated harassment by stalking noted in police records. 11