Not staying silent

LIHU‘E — Jennifer Carter and the YWCA of Kaua‘i are not being silent.

Carter, the Kaua‘i Domestic Violence Prevention Task Force coordinator and a clinician for the YWCA of Kaua‘i Domestic Violence Services, said there will be a month-long series of messages, videos and e-newsletters in observance of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The Kaua‘i County Council recognized the event with a proclamation announcing that it “joins the hardworking advocates committed to ending domestic violence along with community leaders and other partners.”

“We’re available 24/7,” Carter said. “The domestic violence hotline is 245-6362.”

Domestic Violence Awareness Month provides an opportunity for a coordinated community effort to promote education about preventing domestic violence, and to support the numerous organizations and individuals who provide critical advocacy, services and assistance to victims, the County Council proclamation notes.

Domestic violence is not limited by gender, race or economic circumstances, and survivors face serious consequences, such as depression, suicidal behavior and skewed world views acquired by children. In Hawai‘i, 35.7% of women, and 21.8% of men, experience domestic violence in their lifetimes.

Stories of Kaua‘i residents falling within these realms normally surface during the traditional candlelight vigil that takes place during the month-long observance. This has been replaced by speakers, including survivors of domestic violence speaking through video on YWCA of Kaua‘i social-media accounts throughout the month, Carter said.

“Kaua‘i Council Chair Arryl Kaneshiro and domestic-violence survivors Billie-Kay Yokoyama, Aldine Carlos and Sally Najera are breaking the silence and will deliver video presentations. We’re marketing the event more as a DVAM Awareness Campaign rather than a virtual vigil,” Carter said. “In addition to the videos, we will also be sharing links to articles and resources on domestic violence. Access to the videos will also be on our YWCA website at ywcakauai.org.”

The goal of Domestic Violence Awareness Month is to raise awareness of the many problems related to domestic violence, encourage support for victims and survivors, and recognize those who are working on solutions.

The YWCA of Kaua‘i provides support and services for victims of domestic violence, including crisis intervention, shelter, advocacy, case management and counseling, serving more than 200 victims each year.

The Kaua‘i Domestic Violence Task Force, launched during the summer of 2009, is united in its goal to improve the intervention in and prevention of domestic violence.