Pilipina Rural Project

Hawaii continues to witness the loss of women’s lives at the hands of their intimate partners and a disproportionate number of the women are of Filipino ancestry. Many battered Filipino women fortunate to escape tragic and senseless deaths are nevertheless trapped in vicious cycles of abuse, brutality and degradation. The Domestic Violence Action Center is committed to changing this devastating reality through the Pilipina Rural Project, which is supported by the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women.

Our Mission and History
The Pilipina Rural Project (PRP) ensures culturally responsive services to Filipina survivors and their families through bilingual/bicultural advocacy and case management, and conducts comprehensive outreach and education throughout Oahu and Maui County in a manner that empowers affected individuals and stakeholders to address domestic violence on their own terms.

From its inception in November 2002, PRP has hosted a number of major public forums to promote awareness of violence against women and children. Hundreds of stakeholders have gathered at PRP sponsored events such as the first-ever Filipino conference on domestic violence in 2004, the Filipino women leadership development summit in 2003 and 2004, the “Pinay Vagina Monologues” in 2005 and the “Voices of Men” in 2008 (both in partnership with Domestic Violence Actions Center’s Teen Alert Program). Numerous trainings, workshops, and presentations have been conducted for various entities, including many social and civic organizations, religious groups, high schools and colleges, and multidisciplinary and community-based service agencies. PRP aims for active community participation and engagement by building partnerships and alliances in the non-profit, governmental, private, and faith-based sectors.

Our Services:

• Bilingual and bicultural advocacy and case management services to battered Filipino women and their families
• Support and self-help group for Filipina survivors who are in transition
• Trainings to service providers to improve cultural sensitivity and responsiveness in addressing the needs of battered Filipino women and their families
• Educational presentations to various stakeholders on the prevalence and impact of domestic violence
• Leadership development for survivors and “natural helpers”
• Partnerships and alliances with grassroots and community-based entities to promote coordinated community response to domestic violence