Zonta Club of Hilo Raises Awareness About Sexual Assault And Child Abuse, Neglect With T-Shirt

The Zonta Club of Hilo is raising awareness about sexual assault, child abuse and child neglect with a new t-shirt.

According to a press release from the club, the t-shirt features the slogan “Hands Are for Helping … not for hitting.” The t-shirt was created in honor of April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness Month.

“In Hawai‘i, we love t-shirts, so what better way to show your support of non-violence and help spread a peace-promoting message in our community,” said Zonta Club of Hilo President Julie Engelhardt in the release.

To help raise awareness about peace over violence, the youth and adult t-shirts are available for purchase from April 1-24.

For more than a decade, the Zonta Club of Hilo has taken the message “Hands Are Not For Hitting, Hands Are For Helping” to Hawai‘i Island preschoolers.

Beginning in 2009, Zontians began purchasing books in the Best Behavior Series, including “Hands Are Not For Hitting,” and giving them away — often the child’s first book and, for some, the first in their home, according to the press release. Each year since, Zonta Club of Hilo has continued to visit preschools to promote peaceful ways of problem solving. In addition to reading, other “Hands On” activities have including painting children’s hands and printing them for display.

For more information or to purchase a t-shirt, click here.