STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3172

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 69

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 69 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING REFORM IN THE MILITARY INVESTIGATORY AND PROSECUTORIAL SYSTEMS GOVERNING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND INCREASED TRANSPARENCY IN THE MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM AND MILITARY REPORTING OF CRIMINAL SEX OFFENSES INVOLVING CHILDREN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to endorse, encourage, and continue efforts of reformation of the military's investigatory and prosecutorial guidelines for and reporting of sexual crimes involving children in order to create a safe environment for the nation's service members and their children.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that child sexual abuse has a devastating effect on its victims.  This crime can remain hidden for years, resulting in the victims remaining vulnerable and unable to receive the help and justice that they require and deserve.  Your Committee further finds that the existing reporting, investigatory, and prosecutorial systems regarding child sexual assault are insufficient and should be reformed immediately.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 69 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

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CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair