New Survey to Assess Needs of Hawaii’s Women Veterans

Posted on Jul 16, 2014 in FY2014, In The News, News Release

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

NEIL ABERCROMBIE
GOVERNOR

MAJ. GEN. DARRYLL D.M. WONG
DIRECTOR

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release          July 16, 2014

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New Survey to Assess Needs of Hawaii’s Women Veterans

HONOLULU — A survey addressing the unique needs of women veterans has been launched on-line and is being distributed to women veterans throughout the state. The survey is being conducted by the Office of Veterans Services’ Subcommittee on Women Veterans, with the intent to reach as many women veterans as possible over the next two months.  The data collected will be used to provide information to health care providers and others who work with women veterans.

It is estimated that there are 14,000 women veterans who are permanent Hawaii residents. In April 2012, the Office of Veterans Services organized the Hawaii Women Military Veterans Task Force to address the needs of women veterans. The task force concluded that military women face multiple inter-related and complex problems: 

  • a high rate of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and related re-entry issues concerning adequate health care;
  • high rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD);
  • joblessness;
  • homelessness.

Studies on the continental United States indicate women veterans are four times more likely to become homeless than women who have not served in the military.

Those who receive the survey via email or social media are asked to forward on to others.  Respondents will not provide any personal information unless they choose to. 

The short survey consists of 10 questions designed to assess the needs of women veterans.  The survey is available online at: https://dod.hawaii.gov/ovs/hawaii-military-womens-survey/

Paper copies will be available at the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center Women’s Health Clinic and at all OVS offices on Kauai, Maui and the Big Island until approximately Sept. 16, 2014.  Paper surveys can be dropped off at any OVS office or mailed to: Women Veterans Survey, c/o Office of Veterans Services, VA Med & Re Office Center, Building 429, Patterson Rd, E-Wing, Rm 1-A103, Honolulu, HI 96819-1522.

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Media Contact:

Maxine Cavanaugh, member, Subcommittee on Women Veterans, ph. 271-0627

Ron Han, Director, Office of Veterans Services, ph. 433-0422.

Lt. Col. Charles Anthony

Public Affairs Officer

808-733-4258

[email protected]

www.hawaii.gov/dod