YWCA of Hawaii Island on Saturday held its 15th annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” fundraiser.
Men from across the island — including lead walkers Mayor Mitch Roth, Managing Director Deanna Sako, Fire Chief Kazuo Todd, Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Volpe, Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen, police Capt. Sandor Finkey, and emcee/deejay Darrin “DC” Carlson — marched in high heels in solidarity against rape, sexual assault and gender violence.
The event raised more than $11,000 for YWCA’s Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) program.
Starting at YWCA headquarters at 145 Ululani St. in Hilo, the walk is a lighthearted spectacle with a serious purpose. It’s held each year to acknowledge and support the many sexual assault survivors in the community and highlight the free, confidential and compassionate resources available through SASS.
Under Program Director Lisa Lamorte-Williams, SASS has expanded services and partnerships over the last two years.
The program has more than doubled its team of sexual assault nurse examiners (there are now nine SANE nurses practicing islandwide), greatly reducing the wait time for victims.
A new partnership with the U.S. Army at Pohakuloa Training Area ensures the increased number of military personnel deployed there have ample information and access to the program.
Lamorte-Williams is particularly proud of her team’s dedication to providing a trauma-informed approach to care.
At Hilo Benioff Medical Center and Kona Community Hospital that includes private emergency examination rooms away from the stress and chaos of the ER. Non-emergency exams can be conducted confidentially in SASS’s comfortable private office.
Continuity of care is another focus: SASS provides a warm hand-off to related services when a victim requires care outside their scope.
SASS is committed to supporting any victim/survivor: women, men, children and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Sexual assault is something we hope never happens,” Lamorte-Williams said in a press release. “But the reality is that it can happen to anyone regardless of gender, age, orientation, economic status or marital status. And when it does, we are here to help with both immediate care and long-term healing and empowerment.”
YWCA thanks Mauna Kea sponsors KTA Super Stores, Matson and Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo; Mauna Loa sponsors Day-Lum Realty and Property Management and HFS Federal Credit Union; Hualalai sponsor Hawaiian Electric; and partner Hilo Benioff Medical Center.
For more than 40 years, YWCA of Hawaii Island has provided SASS services for both victims and survivors.
The agency’s free, islandwide services include the county’s only 24-Hour Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline, (808) 935-0677, a Medical Forensic Exam Program and counseling support for the survivor and family members.
SASS responds to approximately 2,150 crisis and support calls from or on behalf of victims of sexual violence per year.
SASS is the only such resource available on Hawaii Island.
For more information about the YWCA, visit www.ywcahawaiiisland.org.