Sexual assault is any sexual penetration or contact without consent as defined in HRS 707-700 through 707-741. Sexual assault includes contact resulting from compulsion, which means absence of consent, or a threat, express or implied, that places a person in fear of public humiliation, property damage or financial loss. HRS 707-700.

Victim Advocates

A trained crisis worker will meet you at the hospital, when they are contacted by law enforcement, to provide support and information about the medical examination and police interview. After the medical examination and as questions about your emotional, medical, and legal concerns come up, a victim counselor will be available to help you. Your decision to report and prosecute may prevent someone else from becoming a victim.

Medical Attention

Even if you do not seem physically hurt, it is important to receive a medical exam. You may have internal injuries that require medical attention and the medical staff can provide preventive treatment against STDs and HIV. Follow up with a doctor after the initial screening. The police are required to provide a sexual assault examination at no cost, even if you decide you do not wish to report the crime.

If You Are Sexually Assaulted

It is not your fault that this happened. You are not alone. There are resources in the community to help you. You may wish to call the following:

• Police Emergency (911)
• Your medical doctor or Hospital Emergency Room
• YWCA Sexual Assault Support Service 24 hour crisis line (808) 935-0677
• Victim Assistance Program
  
  • East Hawai‘i: (808) 934-3306
  • West Hawai‘i: (808) 322-2552

Go to a place where you can be safe. Call someone you trust to help you. Don’t shower, eat, drink, brush your teeth, or change your clothes. Valuable physical evidence may be collected from your body and clothing. There are free sexual assault services available in our community. The victim assistance unit is able to provide other referrals as well.

Sexual Assault Kits

In our jurisdictions specially trained sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) conduct the medical examination and which includes the use of a sexual assault kit. Prior to 2016, Sexual Assault Kits may or may not have been sent to the laboratory for further DNA testing depending on the facts of the case.

Project Mālama Kākou (which means “We Care”) was created as a result of Act 207 (2016) to address testing of sexual assault kits. This office has been participating as a member of a statewide multidisciplinary team to implement the state plan to test previously untested sexual assault kits and new sexual assault kits.