This Sexual Assault Awareness Month, April 2018, we stand at a watershed moment for the movement to end sexual violence and harassment.
The #MeToo and #TimesUp hashtag campaigns have brought cases of victimization to the national and local spotlights — not only as experienced and perpetrated by celebrities and high ranking officials, but by people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Never before has there been such a broad understanding that sexual violence and harassment is not relegated to a small corner of our society, but is in fact widespread and that it can have pernicious affects that can make schools, workplaces, social environments, and even homes feel uncomfortable and unsafe for many people every day.
The shame, embarrassment and judgment that lead to silence is also being understood and addressed. The demand for change is real. However, the question remains about what changes should be made.
First and foremost, we must support those who have been victimized by sexual violence and harassment. This means making sure that they are able to access immediate medical and emotional care. But it goes further than this: victims must be supported in the places where they are affected by sexual violence and harassment.
This means that coordinated efforts must be made to ensure that schools and workplaces are supportive of victim students and employees. This means that places where people socialize are cognizant of the sexual violence and harassment issues affecting their patrons. This means making sure that homes are safe — that families and loved ones understand sexual violence issues and are able to support victims. This means that everyone works together to prevent further acts of sexual violence and harassment, and are unified in stopping it immediately, wherever and whenever it is perpetrated.
April provides us a unique opportunity to place this plan into immediate action. Several bills supported by the Hawaii Women’s Coalition and the Women’s Legislative Caucus concerning sexual violence and harassment, and addressing it in a systematic way, remain alive at the state Legislature.
These include a measure, House Bill 2128, that would make sure that victims of sexual assault are able to access support services from their trusted mental health therapists, including the clinician’s coordination of care with other medical providers, assistance to access services and benefits, and help working with schools and employers for reasonable accommodations for victim’s health issues caused by the violence and harassment.
Senate Bill 2719 is also alive at the Legislature and, if passed in the right form, would extend the time frame during which victims of child sexual abuse are able to seek justice for themselves by suing their abusers.
In addition, House Bill 1489 is being deliberated this year. This measure would allow the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to investigate student complaints and require changes where an educational program has discriminated against on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, including when they permit sexual violence or harassment to be perpetrated.
We call on everyone who can to raise their voices in support of these measures, and to stand with Hawaii’s survivors to make our communities safe for everyone. Together, we can end sexual violence and harassment in our time.
Adriana Ramelli is executive director and Justin Murakami is a policy research associate at The Sex Abuse Treatment Center, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.
