Sexual assault reported at UH Mānoa

February 9, 2024 UH Announce, UHM Announce

Two sexual assault incidents were reported at UH Mānoa.  The incidents occurred in UH Manoa student housing approximately two weeks ago and were reported to the UH Mānoa Department of Public Safety  on Friday February 9, 2024.  A student resident reported a sexual assault by an acquaintance who also lives in student housing.  A second student resident reported an assault about two days later by the same individual. The student residents who reported the assaults are being offered assistance and support from the university.

Responsibility is with the perpetrator, not the victim – no one deserves, asks for or provokes unwanted touching, physical assault, or sexual assault.

UH defines “consent” as: “Consent means knowing, and voluntary, and clear permission by word or action to engage in sexual activity. A person cannot give consent if the person is under the age of consent for sexual activity, the person is developmentally or intellectually disabled, or the person is mentally incapacitated or physically helpless.  Lack of protest or resistance cannot be interpreted as consent. Silence cannot be interpreted as consent. Consent must be ongoing throughout any sexual activity and can be revoked at any time.  The existence of a dating relationship, domestic partnership or marriage between the persons involved, or the existence of past sexual relations between the persons involved, is never by itself an indicator of consent.  To legally give consent in Hawai’i, individuals must be at least 16 years old.”

Safety Tips to Consider:

  • E mālama i kekahi i kekahi – Take care of others and your friends. If you sense a friend may need your help, or may be getting into a risky situation, offer them your support. For example, offer to go on a fun double-date in public with a friend who may be meeting someone for the first time.
  • E makaʻala – Be alert. Practice being aware and alert of your surroundings and remember that we cannot control everything around us. Every situation may be different, but being aware of warning signs can give you a head start.
  • E mālama pono – Stay safe. For example, practice encouraging friends to travel in pairs or with trusted companions, especially at night or in remote areas.
  • If you or someone you know is the victim of a sexual assault, get to a safe place. Preserve any physical evidence of the assault.  If possible, avoid showering or brushing your teeth, and save all of the clothing you were wearing at the time or linens that were used. Place all garments in a paper (not plastic) bag.  Write down as much as you can remember about the circumstances of the assault, including a description of the perpetrator.
  • If you feel that you or others are in danger, or to report suspicious, illegal, or unusual activity on campus, call DPS at (808) 956-6911 or HPD at 911. You can also contact DPS through the Mānoa Guardian app or by using a blue light Emergency Call Box on campus.

Reporting Options & Resources

Resources listed below are available to sexual assault survivors regardless of whether or not they decide to report the incident to police.  Any of the resources listed below can assist you in reporting the incident to police or to any other agency or UH office listed, upon request.  For a full list of UH Manoa resources, please visit: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/dps/resources/

  • Advocacy Services: contact the Mānoa Advocate at (808) 956-9499 or the UH System Confidential Advocate at (808) 341-4952 for advocacy services, crisis counseling and support, risk assessment, safety planning, Title IX support, and referral services. These offices can assist you and explain the various options and resources available and are trained to assist victims and survivors with the emotional and physical impacts of a sexual assault.
  • Counseling Services for Students: For students, please contact the Counseling and Student Development Center at (808) 956-7927 (Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
    • After-hours counseling for UH Mānoa Student Housing residents: For after-hours services (outside of Counseling and Student Development Center hours listed above), residents in UH Mānoa Student Housing can contact the counselor-in-residence (CIR) through your Resident Assistant, the RA on-call, or the Residence Director.
    • After-hours counseling for RISE residents: The counselor-in-residence (CIR) is available after-hours (between 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 a.m.) for residents needing immediate assistance. To reach the CIR, RISE residents can contact their community ambassador (CA) at (808) 468-1711, and the CA will assist in reaching out to the CIR.
  • Employee Counseling Services: Please speak with your Human Resources representative, who can provide information on the Employee Assistance Program.
  • Law Enforcement/Public Safety assistance: You can report the incident to the UH Mānoa Department of Public Safety (DPS) at (808) 956-6911. DPS is available 24 hours a day and is available to you whether you live on or off campus.  You can also report to Honolulu Police Department (HPD) at 911.
  • Sex Abuse Treatment Center (for medical exam): Available by phone at (808) 524-7273 (24-hour hotline). They can also send a counselor to meet you at the Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women and Children’s Emergency Room at 1319 Punahou Street. All of their services are free and confidential.  A medical examination is important because it can protect you from possible injuries, STDs, and pregnancy resulting from the assault.  The Sex Abuse Treatment Center does not require you to report the assault to the police, but may be able to hold evidence should you decide to report at a later time.