In the not-so-distant past, domestic violence or intimate partner violence was not openly discussed in the community or workplace. That a loved one would harm their intimate partner in a coercive, deliberate and violent manner was a difficult truth that many would prefer to minimize or deny. Spousal and intimate “disputes” were considered private matters, and even trained professionals experienced many challenges in developing safe interventions for victims who were trapped by abusive partners.
We now understand the prevalence of domestic violence globally and, sadly, here in Hawaiʻi. We now know that while domestic violence can affect anyone, there are certain populations that are even more vulnerable including indigenous populations, gender minorities, and the disabled—particularly when these identities intersect.