Fighting for victims

LIHUE — Kauai Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar was recognized as the distinguished citizen of the year at the 24th annual Men’s March on Oahu last week.

As Kauai’s prosecuting attorney, Kollar has worked tirelessly to seek justice for victims of domestic violence on Kauai and throughout the entire state.

About 1,000 people attended Thursday’s march.

“Justin really has been our champion for victims and for justice. He really cares about improving the system. He’s helped us with legislation, victim’s rights, and he’s the go-to person for us,” said Marcy Lopes, deputy director of the Domestic Violence Action Center on Oahu.

Kollar has also been a voice for advocates across the state, she said.

“He’s written legislation, he’s always at the Legislature on Oahu testifying, meeting with committee members, advocates, sharing stories of injustices that he’s seen and experienced. We wish he was our prosecutor on Oahu,” Lopes said.

As a man, Kollar’s voice is needed to get more men on board, she said.

“He’s never wavered. He’s been a strong, steady, consistent supporter and advocate,” Lopes said.

Renae Hamilton-Cambeilh, executive director of Kauai’s YWCA, said that since Kollar has been in office, he has been a leader in several legislative bills that hold abusers more accountable and improve protections for victims of abuse.

“Justin has been a public champion in highlighting the seriousness of domestic violence and the harm it causes the victims, the children and community,” she said.

First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jennifer Winn said Kollar is dedicated to keeping the community of Kauai a safe one.

“Justin truly believes that there is no greater responsibility and honor than to keep our community safe and administer justice fairly. He shows that to us daily here at work and deserves to be recognized as a distinguished citizen,” she said.

The YWCA appreciates Kollar’s determination to be a good role model for strong male allies, Hamilton-Cambeilh said.

“He has demonstrated a deep understanding that it will take the entire community working together to end domestic violence and make Kauai safe for everyone,” she said.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sean Van Demark said aside from running the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Kollar spends much of his free time participating in various groups throughout the country.

“Justin is a tireless advocate for the people of Kauai and we are fortunate to have him as a leader, boss and friend,” he said.

Van Demark said Kollar leads by example and absolutely deserves this distinction.

The Men’s March is intended to recognize the fact that the vast majority of domestic violence is perpetrated by men, Kollar said in an interview with The Garden Island newspaper.

“This is our problem to take on, to educate one another to be better men,” he said.

Each year, Kollar said his office receives between 350 to 400 domestic violence referrals.

“Domestic violence impacts everyone on the island whether we know it or not. Everybody knows someone who is affected by this,” he said.

“Children who grow up seeing it are more likely to perpetuate it as adults. We tend to see the same themes over and over again: drug or alcohol abuse, lack of financial or housing stability, the cycle of power and control that results in victims being unable or unwilling to participate in prosecution,” he said.

In order to combat domestic violence, Kollar said it needs to be brought out of the dark and confronted directly. Children also need to be raised to treat each other better and with compassion.

As a prosecutor, Kollar said his role is to create a criminal justice system that protects domestic violence victims.

“What we want to do is create a system where victims feel empowered, to feel empowered in this process,” he said.

Sometimes the victim stays with the abuser, Kollar said.

“I don’t try to convince anyone to do anything they feel unsafe or afraid to do. I do try to create a system where people are safe and will be believed when they do have the courage to come forward, and a system that will listen to their concerns and address their their needs and, above all, will keep them safe,” he said.

In 2006, Kollar moved from Boston to Hawaii, and in 2008 he moved to Kauai. He’s been practicing law since 2004 and 10 years ago he was elected county prosecutor.

He is a graduate of Boston University and Suffolk University Law School.

Kollar, 45, said he loves practicing law.

“I especially love being a prosecutor because I get to have a real, tangible, positive impact on the community,” he said.

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Bethany Freudenthal, crime, courts and county reporter, can be reached at 652-7891 or bfreudenthal@thegardenisland.com.