Attorney General Holly Shikada expressed support for Gov. David Ige's proclamation making April sex assault awareness month, a news release said.
"We must support every effort to raise awareness about the crime of sexual assault and the unacceptable impact it has on victims, survivors and our community as a whole,” Shikada said. “We must support every effort to raise awareness."
Sexual violence is a lingering problem across the state that has impacted individuals from all communities and walks of life, Shikada said.
The attorney general's office operates the Hawaii Sexual Assault Response and Training Program. It "supports a coordinated, victim-centered and trauma-informed approach, where the sexual assault survivor is at the center of decision-making regarding recovery and involvement with the criminal justice system," the news release said.
The program aims to give more victims the support they need in overcoming the ordeal and moving forward.
In 2021, sexual assault centers in Hawaii received 1,800 calls, and provided specialized services to more than 1,016 adults and children, the news release said. The state's 24-hour sexual assault hotline received nearly 1,800 calls, it said.
"However, we know that sexual violence is an underreported crime and victims and survivors may not seek help, or do not know what services are available to them, and struggle alone with the trauma caused by the offender," the news release said.