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.
A photo from the Mālama Ola program, which is a voluntary home-visiting program to support expectant parents and families with young children. (Courtesy of Child & Family Services)
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 on the Big Island are listed below and will be located in East Hawaiʻi at 1045-A Kīlauea Ave. Hilo and in West Hawaiʻi at 81-6587 Mamalahoa Hwy. Bldg. C Kealakekua, unless otherwise stated. They include:
This program provides individual, family and group counseling and training to help replace destructive behavior with positive, healthy behaviors.
Domestic Violence Advocacy
Program recipients for whom issues of safety and domestic violence are interfering with their progress can call upon Domestic Violence Advocacy to help them find support to change their situations.
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.
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 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.
Free, short-term home visiting services designed to provide support and help maintain and improve individual and family function by improving parenting skills
A 3-6 month family therapy treatment system provided in a home/office setting for youth ages 11-18 experiencing a wide range of externalizing behavior disorders along with family problems and often with additional emotional problems.
Intensive In-Home Mental Health Treatment Services for children, youth, and families who require a higher level of care than office-based services, but who do not require residential or hospital level care
Program is a culturally tailored intervention that incorporates Hawaiian values helping survivors of domestic violence strengthen their bonds with their children.
This program provides intake and assessment services, and Person Directed Coaching to adults aged 60 or older, who may be at-risk of impoverishment and out-of-home placement due to their functional challenge. Services also provided to veterans.
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.
Offering support caregivers to children with emotional and behavioral challenges to navigate this system, have your voice heard, and learn new skills or resources.
Intensive home-based, family driven service that helps families of young children to provide a safe home, promote healthy development, develop strong parenting skills, and build a strong network of support.
“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 East Hawaiʻi at 808-935-2188 and West Hawaiʻi at 808-323-2664.
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