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About SATC

About the Sex Abuse Treatment Center (SATC)

The Sex Abuse Treatment Center (SATC) of Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children is a statewide program that provides comprehensive services for survivors of sexual assault. This includes medical care, crisis counseling, and therapy. SATC also works to prevent sexual violence and create positive change through public policy, awareness, and education.

Our mission

Our mission is to support the emotional healing process of those who experience sexual assault in Hawai'i, increase community awareness about their needs, and reduce the incidence of all forms of sexual violence.

SATC’s leadership ensures the integrity of sexual assault treatment and prevention services statewide. Through research and education we aim to reduce sexual violence and improve clinical practices. We also collaborate with community organizations and agencies to improve responses to sexual violence. By promoting and engaging in public policy we seek to change the public's perceptions of sexual violence, overcome barriers to treatment and prevention, and ensure that the criminal justice system is responsive to the needs of survivors.

Our history

The Sex Abuse Treatment Center was established in 1976 in response to the community's concern over the absence of medical, psychological, and legal support services for victims. At the time there was no facility in Hawai'i for victims of sexual assault to receive comprehensive and confidential care.

With State government funds SATC implemented 24-hour crisis and legal support services for victims and their families, and developed the protocol for the medical examination and legal evidence collection for sexual assault crimes. In addition, counseling services were provided to victims and their families following the initial crisis. Medical personnel, police, and prosecutors were also trained on victim sensitivity. With this support, victims became increasingly willing to report sexual assault to the police, testify in court, and were better able to recover from trauma.

In the 1980's SATC implemented prevention education and awareness programs for children and adolescents. Training and consultation services for professionals were also enhanced. During this time major milestones were accomplished for sexual assault survivors through collaborative policy efforts with community agencies and law enforcement. Laws were enacted to protect victim counseling information; to provide mandatory HIV testing of sex offenders, and to establish sex offender registration. Statutes and policies were also strengthened to enhance penalties for sex offenders.

SATC took on a statewide profile in the 1990's through contract administration for statewide sexual assault services. SATC provides the programmatic and fiscal oversight of sexual assault services, as well as technical assistance and consultation, to the sexual assault centers on Kaua'i, Maui and the island of Hawai'i.

The Sex Abuse Treatment Center Established

Legislature allocates $200K and The Sex Abuse Treatment Center (SATC) at Kapi'olani becomes Hawai'i's first sexual assault center with a 24/7 hotline, counseling and legal advocacy services. Protocol developed for medical-forensic exams; medical providers, police and prosecutors trained.

Creating Awareness

Implements education for high school students on dating violence and promoting healthy relationships.

Legal Partnerships Begin

Kobayashi, Watanabe, Sugita, & Kawashima (87-94); Guidance today provided by Roeca Luria Hiraoka LLP (94-Present); McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon LLP (95-Present)

Fortifying Programs

Government leadership of Dept. of Prosecuting Attorney and the Dept. of the Attorney General support funds for delivery of critical services.

Enhancing Care

SATC opens Hawaii's first pediatric sex abuse medical clinic.

Protecting Rights

Victim-Counselor Privilege enacted. Continues partnerships with community and government agencies to enhance the welfare of survivors.

Statewide Leadership

Selected by the Dept. of Health (DOH) as the Master Contractor for statewide sexual assault services–Maui Cild & Family Services, Kaua‘i YWCA, and Hawaii YWCA.

Surfing with a Purpose

Roy "China" Uemura creates annual Wahine Surfing Classic for community education and support for SATC.

Standardizing Forensic Services

Selected by the Dept. of the Attorney General to develop uniform standards. Prosecutors, police, scientists, medical and sexual assault personnel state-wide work together.

Friends of SATC

First annual "It's Not Your Fault" benefit luncheon.

Statewide Protocols

Sexual Assault Evidence Kit and Protocols implemented.

Supporting Children

Partners with the Children's Justice Center for on-site crisis counseling for children during forensic interview.

Capacity Building

Funded by Higgins Family Foundation to create comprehensive teacher training on sexual assault prevention curricula (K-12).

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SATC develops and launches media campaign with DOH and The Hawaii Coalition Against Sexual Assault (HCASA).

Safeguarding Services

Legislature with support of the Attorney General increases funding from $924K to $2M to sustain essential statewide services.

Impacting Teens

Launches [respect] is a Choice, an interactive drama for high school students, with Honolulu Theatre for Youth (HTY).

High Risk Victim Clinic

SATC opens clinic for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation with the Pacific Survivor Center.

Supporting Prevention

SATC recieves funding support from the DOH to comtinue teacher training and Honolulu Theatre for Youth (HTY) activities.

Building Advocacy

Establishes Policy Associate position to advocate on sexual assault issues.

"First Impressions"

Develops with Honolulu Police Department and HCASA training video for use by law enforcement.

[respect] Rally

Creates and stages with HTY creative workshops through art to engage youth in preventing sexual violence.

[respect] College

Toolkit and training offered to Hawaii's campuses.

Engaging Youth/Young Adults

Creates prevention film "shots" with HCASA, Dept. of Public Safety Sex Offender Management Team and Judiciary's Sex Offender Probation Unit to address intersection of sexual assault and alcohol.

Nourishing Care

Initiates trauma sensitive yoga classes and group sessions on mindfulness for survivors. Le‘a, support dog, comforts survivors in the SATC waiting room.

 
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Services

Crisis response

  • 24/7 crisis hotline and web chat for immediate counseling, information, and referral services, including immediate assistance accessing medical-forensic examination services.
  • In-person crisis and short term follow-up counseling and legal systems advocacy.
  • Outreach and supportive services to coordinate ongoing care.
  • Phone information and referral for non-crisis inquiries about sexual violence and other requests.

Medical-Forensic Examinations

  • 24 hours/7 days a week immediate medical forensic examination by a trained physician. This includes medical evaluation, collection of legal evidence, and treatment.
  • Exams are done within 120 hours of assault with use of a standardized sexual assault kit.
  • A Crisis Counselor is present to provide emotional support and advocacy.
  • Post-120 hour medical evaluation of minors by a trained physician. A crisis counselor is present to provide emotional support to the child and their family.

Counseling, therapy, legal systems advocacy

  • Assessment and treatment planning, including referrals for medication
  • Individual, family, group, and couples’ therapy
  • Supportive services to coordinate care
  • Continuous evaluation of care and progress
  • Support and care for victims through judicial proceedings, both civil and criminal

Education and outreach

  • Curricula-based sexual violence prevention education for school aged children (pre-school to 12)
  • Education and information about sexual violence topics for community organizations
  • Media activities and community-based wellness events to promote awareness of sexual violence and SATC’s services
  • Training and consultation to professionals on the identification, response, and treatment of sexual violence survivors
  • Participation in degree programs for the training and education of professionals
  • Participation in community meetings, coalitions, and task force groups
  • Advocacy to shape laws, reform systems, and improve services
  • Data collection and generation of research, publications, and literature about sexual violence

Capacity building services

  • Delivery of standardized, statewide sexual violence services