HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0992.003 2018-2020 COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF AZ'I Allison Dupre
RECEIVED 50 Maile St.Apt. A-26
TiffinQ Hilo, HI 96720
Date
July 6, 2020
Aloha Hawaii County Council Members,
I am here today to express strong support for Resolution No. 680.20 which urges and supports equity,
inclusion, social and economic justice principles into COVID-19 recovery initiatives for Hawaii County.
My name is Allison Dupre and I am an upcoming 4th year student at UH Hilo majoring in Business
Administration Healthcare Management. Along with being a student, I work in the Women's Center on
campus where I am lead program coordinator. Over the last few years at UH Hilo, I have been a part of
helping to create change in campus culture. One of the interactive workshops I put on annually teaches
students about the intersectionality of drugs, alcohol, and sexual assault. RAINN (a sexual abuse hotline)
states that among undergraduate students 23%of females and 5% of males experience sexual assault.
Last semester when the university had to transition to online classes due to COVID, I led a drive for grab
and go items for students that were not able to get basic necessities, as well as teaming up with other
offices to sew masks and disperse to students at no cost to them.
Outside of my work at the Women's Center, I have personally witnessed the effects that COVID has had
on women. I had a family member who was denied a long term protective order for her and her two
children after being physically beaten. While the abuser was away at work they tried to leave and seek
shelter but nowhere was taking in people due to the pandemic. The police officers were hesitant to arrest
because of the possibility of spreading COVID into jail. Courts were shut down and could not schedule a
hearing for weeks. Unfortunately, they had to return home to the abuser because there was nowhere to
go.
I wish I could say that this is a unique situation but it is happening more than ever right now. Women are
being disproportionately affected by COVID-19; homeschooling children and being put back into old
traditional gender roles. Single parents are struggling to go back to work because of the closure of
daycares.
It is essential that Hawaii County partners with CSW and other organizations that support equity, social,
and economic justice to those who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The support of
this resolution can make a difference to so many people in our community who are struggling to get back
on their feet. Hawaii County CSW has shown the effectiveness of their resources to support women and
make lasting changes in our county.
Once again, I am in full support of Resolution No. 680.20 and hope that this testimony will allow you to
understand the effects COVID-19 has brought into our community.
Mahalo for your time,
Allison Dupre
No.
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