The YWCA of Hawaii Island’s Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) is confronting a significant funding shortfall, potentially losing $100,000 in annual support due to constraints on federal grants. This funding is crucial for maintaining the organization’s 24/7 confidential hotline, which provides vital assistance to victims of sexual assault. The hotline can be reached at (808) 935-0677, while an online chat feature has been available on weekdays from 08:00 to 12:00 at www.ywcahawaiiisland.org.
SASS Program Director Lisa Lucia highlights the pervasive nature of sexual assault, stating, “Sex assault is about power. If you are human, you’re vulnerable.” National statistics reveal that approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men experience sexual assault in their lifetime. A study conducted in 2016 by the Sex Abuse Treatment Center of Hawaii reported an average of 42.1 rapes per 100,000 residents on the islands, a figure that likely underrepresents the actual incidence of these crimes.
The YWCA has been serving the Big Island for over 40 years, with locations in Hilo and Kona. However, the increasing constraints on funding are making it challenging to provide essential services across the island. CEO Kathleen McGilvray noted that “this program has been underfunded for years,” leading to cuts in educational outreach and support services. The loss of funding could severely impact SASS’s ability to offer crisis support, counseling, and forensic exams for victims.
SASS has previously implemented educational programs aimed at teaching children, starting as young as kindergarten, about the difference between “good touches and bad touches.” The organization also provides resources for older students, including identifying abusive relationships and how to seek help. McGilvray emphasized the need for trauma-informed advocates to deliver these programs effectively, stating, “Our needs have not gone down, but our funding keeps getting constricted.”
In March 2026, a new state mandate requiring sexual violence prevention education for students from kindergarten through high school will come into effect. Lucia expressed the urgency of collaborating with educational institutions to prepare teachers and administrators for these discussions, stating, “Our biggest goal is to be available for them in those areas of disclosures.”
SASS relies on funding from federal grants, such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), which are distributed among various state agencies. The funding that reaches Hawaii is divided among the attorney general’s office, hospitals, and other support programs, making it challenging for SASS to sustain its operations. McGilvray noted that losing up to $100,000 from these grants would represent 20% of the program’s annual budget.
To mitigate the funding gap, one of the organization’s key fundraising events is the annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Men’s March Against Sexual Violence.” This event encourages men to walk in high heels to advocate for survivors and raise approximately $20,000 each year. McGilvray highlighted the importance of involving men in the conversation about preventing sexual violence, stating, “This is a community issue. This is a way to have men involved in the solution.”
The YWCA encourages community members to register for and donate to the 16th annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” fundraiser, scheduled for Saturday, by visiting www.ywcahawaiiisland.org/event/walk-a-mile-in-her-shoes/. Additionally, anyone interested in volunteering for SASS or registered nurses who would like training as sexual assault nurse examiners can contact Lucia directly at [email protected].
As the YWCA of Hawaii Island navigates this funding crisis, community support remains crucial to ensure that vital services continue to be available for survivors of sexual assault across the Big Island.