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Posted: Sunday, June 6th, 2004 4:45 PM HST

Number of Hawaii rape cases increasing

By Associated Press

(Honolulu-AP) -- The Sex Abuse Treatment Center says the number of rape cases involving adult women is increasing in Hawaii while it is dropping nationally. Center director Adriana Ramelli says it isn't clear whether the higher numbers are due to more sexual violence or more victims seeking services because of public education. But she thinks it's a positive trend. Ramelli says the strength is in the high number of people reporting sexual assaults because of a strong relationship with law enforcement. She says that makes it supportive and safe for people to come forward. She says Hawaii has consistently been below the national average in rape cases through the 1990s but moved ahead in early 2000 and 2001. (Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved.)