Child & Family Service call on community to help protect Hawaiʻi’s children

Child abuse remains a critical issue in Hawaiʻi and Child & Family Service is calling on the community to get informed and take action in light of Child Abuse Prevention Month this April.

According to the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health’s 2023 Child Abuse and Neglect Report, 4,269 children were reported as potential victims, with 788 confirmed cases, a confirmation rate of 18%. The most vulnerable children are infants under one year old, making up 16.6% of confirmed victims. Native Hawaiian children are disproportionately affected, accounting for 34.4% of confirmed cases.
 
Nearly 88% of child abusers are parents, with 41.7% between the ages of 30 and 39. Perpetrators are almost evenly split by gender, with 47.1% male and 51.7% female. The most common forms of abuse include threatened harm, with 698 confirmed cases, followed by neglect with 152 cases and physical abuse with 87 cases. Although lower in number, with sexual abuse accounting for 46 cases and sex trafficking with 11 cases is seriously concerning.

Parental struggles play a major role in child abuse cases. Three out of four cases (75.3%) involve parents struggling with their parenting responsibilities. Substance abuse is a factor in nearly one-third (32.7%) of cases, while mental health issues (14.7%), chronic family violence (15.1%), and spousal abuse (16.6%) also contribute to child abuse in Hawaiʻi. 
 
“One of the biggest barriers to stopping child abuse is the lack of reliable data. Abuse is underreported and difficult to prove. We cannot solve what we cannot see,” said Child & Family Service CEO Amanda Pump. “We need better tracking, stronger outreach, and a community-wide commitment to protecting children. Teachers, neighbors, healthcare professionals—everyone has a role in recognizing and reporting abuse. Every child in Hawai‘i deserves to grow up feeling safe, valued, and loved.” 
 
Prevention starts with strengthening homes, so Child & Family Service offers life-changing programs to prevent child abuse before it happens. 

All programs offered on Kauaʻi are listed below and will be located at 970 Kele St. Suite 203 Līhuʻe unless otherwise stated. They include:

• Alaka‘i Club
  • An interactive, values-based after school program for Kauaʻi youth, ages 10 to 21.
  • East Kaua‘i
    • 3 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays from Feb. 20 to April 24
    • 4-1112 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa, HI 96746
    • 808-821-2520
  • West Kaua‘i
    • 3 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Feb. 19 to April 23
    • 4556 Makeke Rd, Waimea, HI 96796
    • 808-338-0252
• Comprehensive Counseling and Support Services – CCSS
  • Child abuse prevention and treatment program, providing a broad array of services to meet the needs of children and their families.
  • 2970 Kele St. Suite 203 Līhuʻe, HI 96766
  • 808.245.5914
• Crisis Mobile Outreach
  • Provides telephone and in-person stabilization and mobile outreach assessment services for youth in active state of psychiatric crisis.
• Domestic Violence Services for Families
  • Full spectrum of individual, group and family services to men, women and children to aid in the intervention and prevention of domestic violence in families and to strengthen child resilience and overall wellbeing..
• E Ala Hou – Substance Abuse Services
  • Helps Kaua‘i individuals who need additional support or assistance with issues related to drug or alcohol use.
• Early Head Start & Head Start
  • Free comprehensive program of early learning, health, and family well-being to income or categorically-eligible children and families, with the goal of promoting school readiness.
• Evaluation & Outpatient
  • Comprehensive clinical information is gathered to assist with determining eligibility of youth for mental health services, coordination of services, and with treatment planning.
• Family Centers
  • Family Centers provide an essential resource to communities, offering a walk-in, one-stop location for services including help with food, clothing, information, and programs designed to strengthen Hawai‘i’s at-risk individuals and families.
  • Hale Ho‘omalu
    • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday
    • Food Pantry: 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Thursdays
    • 4-1112 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa, HI 96746
    • 808.821.2520
  • Nana’s House
    • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday
    • Food Pantry: 2 to 4 p.m. Mondays, 9 to 11 a.m., 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, 1 to 4 p.m Thursdays
    • 9875 Waimea Rd. Waimea, HI 96796
    • 808-338-0252
• Family Strengthening Services
  • Free, short-term home visiting services designed to provide support and help maintain and improve individual and family function by improving parenting skills
• Multidisciplinary Team Services
  • It provides consultative services to State of Hawaii Department of Human Services regarding the assessment of medical, mental health, and psychosocial needs of children and families.
• ‘Ohana Support Services
  • Offering support caregivers to children with emotional and behavioral challenges to navigate this system, have your voice heard, and learn new skills or resources.
  • 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • 844-748-3070 
• Positive Youth Development (Youth Independent Living Services)
  • Programs that offer training which focuses on the knowledge and skills an individual may need to live independently or make a successful transition to independent living. 
  • Participants may include runaway youth who are living on their own, youth who because of age can no longer be maintained in foster care, new widows, survivors of domestic abuse, people who have previously been homeless, and others who have lived in a controlling environment and people currently living independently who want to be more effective.
• Strong Families Home Visiting
  • Formerly Enhanced Healthy Start, is an intensive home-based, family driven service where a family support worker and clinical specialist helps families of young children provide a safe home, promote healthy development, develop strong parenting skills, and build a strong network of support.  
• The Parent Line
  • Free, confidential phone support for parents and caregivers statewide, connecting them to resources and guidance when they need it most.
  • 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday
  • 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
  • 1-800-816-1222
• Voluntary Case Management
  • This program offers oversight and services to families whose children have not been substantially harmed, but are at high risk for child abuse and neglect. 

“Child abuse prevention starts by strengthening families before crises happen, and that’s what we strive for at Child & Family Service,” Pump continues. “Recognizing the signs, speaking up, and supporting families can save lives. By reporting concerns and advocating for safe environments, we can protect Hawaiʻi’s children—together.” 

More resources on child abuse prevention can be found on the Child & Family Service website.

For more information on programs, call Child & Family Service Kauaʻi at 808-245-5914.