HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	37
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING RELIGIOUS AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP APPROPRIATE WAYS TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

     WHEREAS, domestic violence consists of behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control the other; and

     WHEREAS, domestic violence can occur in many forms such as psychological, emotional, or sexual abuse and can happen once or periodically to victims of any age, gender, race, culture, education level, employment or marital status, or religion; and

     WHEREAS, victims of abuse, particularly women and families in need, benefit not only from information about preventing, stopping or recognizing the warning signs of domestic violence or abuse, but they also need support from family and friends and others from their religious community that they trust; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's religious and faith-based communities can be a source of support for victims of domestic violence and their religious organizations can be considered safe environments, or "safe havens", where domestic violence victims and their family members can receive assistance, counseling, and referral services; and

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence is a private, not-for-profit statewide organization whose purpose is to end family violence in Hawaii by coordinating domestic violence prevention and intervention services, affecting public policy, and establishing coordinated and consistent procedures and actions by the civil and criminal justice systems in Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence serves as a clearinghouse, provides technical assistance on family violence matters, and provides facilitation when requested by member agencies; and

WHEREAS, faith-based organizations such as the Hawaii Family Forum, Hawaii Catholic Conference, The Interfaith Alliance of Hawaii, and the Faith in Action for Community Equity serve to network a range of churches and religious organizations in almost every community and neighborhood in the State; and

WHEREAS, these umbrella faith-based organizations need to meet to find unity in addressing the growing problem of domestic violence and work with service organizations such as the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Catholic Charities of Hawaii to discuss issues related to how churches and clergy can respond to the issue of domestic violence and provide appropriate responses; and

WHEREAS, faith-based organizations need to also discuss issues related to the ethical, legal, liability, and safety issues related to their response to domestic violence and consider what types of training and certification are needed to provide an appropriate response; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, the Senate concurring, that religious or faith-based member organizations, such as the Hawaii Family Forum and the Hawaii Catholic Conference, The Interfaith Alliance of Hawaii, and Faith in Action for Community Equity, are urged to develop a working group with representatives from the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and other relevant stakeholders to discuss the appropriate role of religious or faith-based organizations in addressing the prevention of domestic violence and providing "safe havens" for those trying to escape abusive relationships; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Executive Director of the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Executive Director of the Hawaii Family Forum and the Hawaii Catholic Conference, the President of The Interfaith Alliance of Hawaii, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the All Believers Network, and Faith in Action for Community Equity, which in turn are requested to transmit copies to their member churches or other organizations throughout the State.

Report Title: 

Domestic Violence; Safe Havens