Ohia Shelter offers a safe and confidential facility on Oahu for survivors and their children who can no longer remain in their homes because of danger from domestic violence. Crisis support is available 24/7. Trained staff assist survivors with safety, future life-planning and generate referrals for housing, legal assistance and medical needs.
After the devastation of a lava flow, the Ohia is one of the first plants that appear. It is delicate and hardy and survives the harshest of climates. "Ohia" is our metaphor for the women and children who come to us for safety.
Ohia Shelter offers a safe place for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Services offered are:
- Individual and group support meetings
- Specialized case management services
- Personal development classes
- Referrals to legal, medical, financial and housing assistance
- 24-hour shelter access and crisis line
- Follow up services after discharge
Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive, controlling behavior that can involve physical, verbal, mental, sexual and psychological abuse. Domestic violence affects people from all socio-economic, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Although almost anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, women are the most common victims. In homes where domestic violence occurs, children are also at high risk for physical, verbal and mental abuse.
How do I know if I am being abused?
Does your spouse or partner:
- Control where you go, what you do and who you spend time with (friends, family, co-workers?)
- Constantly criticize you and your abilities as a spouse, partner, parent or employee?
- Behave in an overly protective manner?
- Threaten to hurt you, your children, pets, family members, friends or himself?
- Suddenly get angry or lose their temper?
- Destroy your personal property?
- Hit, punch, slap, kick, shove or bite you?
- Prevent you from working or attending school?
- Deny you access to family assets such as bank accounts, credit cards, car or insurance policies?
- Give you an "allowance" and insist that you account for every penny that you spend?
- Force you to have sex against your will or want to engage in sexual acts after abusing you?
- Insult you or call you names, especially in front of others?
- Use intimidation or manipulation to control you or your children?
- Turn minor incidents into major arguments?
- Blame their behavior, temper, stress or use of drugs/alcohol on you?
- Have any of these incidents happened more than once in your relationship?
- Over time, have they increased in number or severity? If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, you may be a victim of domestic violence.
"A 2019 Mary Kay Foundation grant recipient"