Hawaii Senate Bill SCR226

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/23
• Refer: 3/15/23
• Report Pass: 4/4/23
• Engrossed: 4/5/23
• Refer: 4/11/23

Caption

Urging The United States Indo-pacific Command To More Proactively Combat Violence Against Civilian Women And Children In Hawaii By Making A Zero-tolerance Commitment, Sharing Genderbased Violence Prevalence Data With The State Government, And Launching An Anti-commercial Sexual Exploitation Program Across All Hawaii Military Installations.

Impact

If implemented, the resolution would push the military to actively engage in campaigns to address gender-based violence within its ranks and among its personnel. By sharing critical data with community organizations, the intent is to inform local efforts to combat sex trafficking and align military and local strategic responses. The resolution emphasizes the necessity of having military personnel educated about the impacts of commercial sexual exploitation and holds them accountable for their actions, which may lead to significant changes in policy and community relations between the military and local residents.

Summary

SCR226 urges the United States Indo-Pacific Command to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards violence against civilian women and children in Hawaii, particularly addressing issues related to gender-based violence and sex trafficking. The resolution reflects the concerns of local communities about the implications of a substantial military presence on public safety and societal issues related to gender-based violence, giving particular focus to the disproportionate impact on Native Hawaiian women and girls. It calls for a collaborative effort to share violence statistics with state authorities and enhance programs to combat sexual exploitation on military installations across Hawaii.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding SCR226 appears to be supportive among those advocating for women's rights and community safety, particularly in addressing the legacy issues associated with military behavior impacting vulnerable populations. However, some skeptics may question the effectiveness of military engagement in these social issues, fearing that underlying systemic problems may be more resistant to change than what a resolution can address. The emotional weight of the resolution underscores both hope and skepticism from various stakeholders, including local advocacy groups, military officials, and community leaders.

Contention

Notable points of contention include debates on the military's accountability and willingness to enforce measures that genuinely reflect zero tolerance towards sex trafficking and gender-based violence, especially given past criticisms of military handling such cases. Community advocates emphasize that actionable outcomes must accompany the resolution, rather than mere rhetoric. Additionally, concerns exist regarding the adequacy of military training and immediate responses needed to effectively combat these long-standing societal issues.