Hear Me! Podcast Episodes
Welcome to Hear Me!, a podcast dedicated to highlighting the voices and experiences of crime victims and service providers throughout Hawai’i. Each episode provides a deeper discussion into post-conviction programming, available services, and the impact direct services have on crime victims throughout the criminal justice process. Join National Post-Conviction Advocate Lydia Newlin, and Victim Advocates Dawn Martin and Leanna Bair as they get to know victim service providers, criminal justice professionals, and survivors of crime throughout Hawaiʻi. Each episode is meant to provide listeners with an opportunity to be informed, receive services, and/or become an active voice in the process of collaborating to improve direct services to crime victims.
Episode 1: Survivor Story
Nonohe Botelho is an Independent Consultant to victims and surviving families of homicide and other violent crimes. In this episode, Nonohe tells her story as a surviving mother of her eldest son who was shot and killed in front of her home. Nonohe has become her own advocate and fought to increase the murder laws in the state of Hawai’i. Nonohe earned her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University, Honolulu. Nonohe’s career spans over 30 years in human services and mental health fields. Her work included services to children and adolescents who experience barriers due to a physical or cognitive disability. She also worked for the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Victim Witness Kokua Services as a Victim Witness Advocate - providing guidance and direct victim services to crime victims and their families during sentencing. Nonohe’s personal experience guides her work as an Independent Consultant where she provides guidance, counseling, and advice to families effected by crime as they navigate through the judicial system. In her “down” time, she enjoys painting, gardening, and spending time with her family and grandchildren.
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Season 2, Episode 1: Post-Conviction Victim Concerns with Jeralita Costa
A critical element to providing support to victims/survivors’ post-conviction, is understanding what the unique concerns victims/survivors have or may have once there has been a sentence or disposition. It is important to acknowledge that victim/survivor concerns often change from what they were during the pre-conviction phases. Some victim/survivors can clearly identify their concerns, while others may benefit from advocacy at the time of sentencing or post-sentencing to help identify new or changing concern. Concerns may range from common or “universal” issues to very individual or unique concerns based on the individual victim/survivor’s situation. In this podcast, our host, Lydia Newlin will talk with nationally renowned victim advocate and consultant, Jeralita Costa about the importance of understanding and identifying the concerns of victims post-conviction. Using that framework can then provide guidance in helping identify victim needs, which can then assist in providing the most effective advocacy and support to those victims we serve.
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Episode 1: Survivor Story
Nonohe Botelho is an Independent Consultant to victims and surviving families of homicide and other violent crimes. In this episode, Nonohe tells her story as a surviving mother of her eldest son who was shot and killed in front of her home. Nonohe has become her own advocate and fought to increase the murder laws in the state of Hawai’i. Nonohe earned her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University, Honolulu. Nonohe’s career spans over 30 years in human services and mental health fields. Her work included services to children and adolescents who experience barriers due to a physical or cognitive disability. She also worked for the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Victim Witness Kokua Services as a Victim Witness Advocate - providing guidance and direct victim services to crime victims and their families during sentencing. Nonohe’s personal experience guides her work as an Independent Consultant where she provides guidance, counseling, and advice to families effected by crime as they navigate through the judicial system. In her “down” time, she enjoys painting, gardening, and spending time with her family and grandchildren.
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Episode 4: Hawai’i State-Automated Victim Information and Notification
The Hawai'i Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification (SAVIN) system is powered by the Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) system. Hawai'i SAVIN offers victims and concerned citizens free, anonymous, and confidential access to timely information and notification 24-hours a day, 365 days a year on the custody and parole status of offenders under the jurisdiction of the State Of Hawai'i’s Department of Public Safety. Registered users will receive notification via email, text, and/or phone call. Live operator assistance is always available to address your questions. Hawai'i SAVIN, is a service provided by the Department of Public Safety and supported by victim witness assistance programs throughout the State. Contact SAVIN: Phone: 808-587-1356 Email: psd.savin@hawaii.gov Contact Form: https://www.pavhawaii.com/hisavin
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Episode 3: The Department of Public Safety (PSD), Restitution and Victim Services
The Department of Public Safety (PSD), Restitution and Victim Services (RAVS) office provides information, support, and referral assistance to crime victims and the general public. Additional services provided include, answering questions about the criminal justice process, assisting with inquiries related to court-ordered restitution, assisting with registering to receive automated notification through the Hawaiʻi Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification (HI-SAVIN), referrals to community services and resources including crime victim compensation, and advocate on behalf of victims who are being harassed by or receiving unwanted contacts form inmates. RAVS is also responsible for processing court-ordered restitution deductions from inmates while they are incarcerated. RAVS works closely with the correctional facilities to ensure that restitution is sent timely to the Crime Victim Compensation Commission (CVCC) for payment to victims. Contact RAVS: Phone: 808-587-2550 Email: ravs-dps@hawaii.gov
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Episode 2: Honolulu Police Department: Sex Crimes Detail Victim Witness Specialist
The Honolulu Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit is led by Victim Witness Specialist, Allyson ‘Ally’ Kahalepuna. Victim Witness Specialists work with the victim, detectives, and investigators within the police department. The Sex Crimes Unit provides support for sex assault cases only. The Specialists can report to the scene of the event to support the victim or meet the victim at the police department. The Specialists work with the victim to prepare them for interviews with detectives and then provide support and referrals as needed after the interview. Some common referrals include the Sex Abuse Treatment Center (SATC), emergency housing assistance, medical support and assistance with obtaining a Temporary Restraining Order. Connect with Ally: Phone: 808-723-3685 (Office)
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Disclaimer
These podcasts were produced by the State of Hawaiʻi’s Crime Victim Compensation Commission with support by Grant Award No. 2019-V2-GX-0017 awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, through the State of Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General. The purpose of the Hear Me! Podcast is to bring awareness of and give a voice to justice professionals, advocates, victims, survivors, and the community. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in these podcasts are those of the contributors and do not represent the official position or policies of the Hawai’i Department of Public Safety, the Crime Victim Compensation Commission, the Hawai’i Paroling Authority, the State of Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General, the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs or the U.S. Department of Justice.
If you have immediate concerns about your safety call 911. Every person’s experience of crime is different, and every case is different. It can be beneficial to reach out to an advocate at the numbers below to answer questions about your specific circumstances. For immediate assistance, call 911.