I want to thank the community members for their participation in the Silent March For Peace, Tuesday evening in remembering Miu Lan Esposo-Aguiar and Lisa Bissell. There was a strong sense of commitment to end domestic violence and sexual assault
I want to thank the community members for their participation in the Silent
March For Peace, Tuesday evening in remembering Miu Lan Esposo-Aguiar and Lisa
Bissell.
There was a strong sense of commitment to end domestic violence
and sexual assault on Kaua’i as well as to recognize the many children and
adults who currently suffer from such experiences.
Ironically, April is
National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In the face of such recent tragedies
on Kaua’i, we can’t forget sexual assault and domestic violence are important
community issues and that safer communities are created through education and
awareness.
What can you do?
* Remember to discuss relationship and
safety issues with your children and teenagers and what to do in a situation
that feels unsafe.
* Violence whether physical or sexual most often occurs
between people that know each other, remember it is your business if someone is
being hurt.
* When talking to survivors of sexual assault and domestic
violence, remember to believe them, don’t blame them, and encourage them to get
help.
* 24-hour hotline numbers are: Domestic violence, 245-8362, and
sexual assault, 245-4144.
Thanks again to all that attended the Silent
March For Peace and The Garden Island newspaper staff for helping address the
loss of these two women and the need to end violence.
Joan Luzney, Director
Sexual Assault Treatment Program
Nancy Peterson, Director
Family
Violence Shelter YWCA of Kauai
