STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1624

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 74

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 74 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND OTHER AGENCY AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO CONTINUE MEETING AS A WORKING GROUP FOR SEXUAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to encourage the Department of Education and other agency and community stakeholders to continue meeting as a working group for sexual violence prevention education in public schools.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii Youth Services Network, The Sex Abuse Treatment Center at Kapi‘olani, Hawaii Children's Action Network, Parents and Children Together, and Hawaii Women's Coalition.

Your Committee finds that sexual violence remains a serious and ongoing threat to the safety and health of children and young people in the State. Implementing a program for sexual violence prevention education in public schools is important to protect children and young people in the State and position the Department of Education's Title IX and anti-bullying efforts for success. In October 2018, the Department of Education established a working group to collaborate with other stakeholders to review Hawaii public schools' current prevention-oriented child sexual abuse programs and resources and initiate recommendations to enhance integrated, comprehensive, and sustained support to ensure the well-being of our youth. Because children and young people in Hawaii experience sexual violence at rates equivalent to or higher than their mainland counterparts, the continued efforts of the working group are critical to ensuring that Hawaii's children and youth are protected and safe.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 74 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair