Advocates work with survivors to provide emotional support, assistance navigating the civil and criminal justice systems, safety planning, crisis support, risk assessments, and connections to other social services.
Advocates work closely with DVAC’s staff attorneys, paralegals, and community program staff. Clients receive this specialized assistance long term, sometimes for more than a year.
Designed to improve our statewide response to domestic violence and substance abuse in our community.
One-of-a-kind training and professional development to better prepare substance use treatment providers, health care practitioners and domestic violence service providers statewide.
DV Action Ready has been designed to equip businesses with the tools they need to respond to domestic violence in the workplace and help keep employees safe and productive.
Research shows that domestic violence is a big problem in the workplace, and DVAC can help!
It is estimated that 25% of workplace problems such as absenteeism, lower productivity, turnover and excessive use of medical benefits are due to family violence.
37% of women involved in partner violence have felt its effects on the workplace—reflected in lateness, missed work, difficulty keeping a job, and difficulty advancing in their careers.
Staff / Advocates are located on site at the Family Court in Kapolei and Honolulu Criminal Court to support victims as they seek legal protection in civil and criminal court.
Services include; information on family court process, referrals to domestic violence and other community resources, legal representation, crisis intervention, advocacy and risk/lethality assessments and safety planning for victims who are witnesses in domestic violence misdemeanor cases.
Ho’o means to strive toward, ikaika means strong, and ‘ohana means family.
This is a 9 month program developed in response to the unfortunate reality that Native Hawaiians represent the highest ethnic group receiving DVAC’s triad (attorney, advocate, paralegal) and PIKO services. Ho‘oikaika ‘Ohana is uniquely positioned to develop culturally responsive trauma-informed program services to help Native Hawaiian families heal from their exposure to domestic violence & interpersonal violence.
To assist agency’s clients with long term advocacy, crisis support, support for balanced parenting and the strengthening of protective parenting, developing safety and self-sufficiency. Support survivors who are working to meet personal goals for safety and improved parenting as they’re build trust with their children and stabilize family affairs.
Legal services are also available to clients participating in this program.
The Teen Advocacy Program provides education about teen dating violence.
We have a team of 4 that travel from school to school and multiple islands to educate your young adults, educator and youth serving organizations what healthy relationships look like.
A Teen Advocate assists youth who are already suffering the harm of abuse in their relationships.
Helpline provides referrals and procedural information for obtaining TRO’s (temporary restraining orders), applying for child support, reporting child abuse and using the justice system.
On the Helpline, we answer other questions related to safety, personal choices and individual legal rights to live free from violence. Employers, healthcare professionals, teachers, and other community professionals are welcome to call with any questions they may have about people with whom they are in contact who may need guidance.
