By Celia K. Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
For the past two decades, the Diocese of Honolulu has provided a way for victims and survivors of childhood sexual abuse by priests, deacons or other church personnel to come forward and speak to someone who can provide support and resources.
That role, the victim assistance coordinator, was established in a 2002 directive by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops titled “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” which was created to address the sex abuse crisis in the Catholic Church.
A number of people have filled the position for the diocese since then — all through Catholic Charities Hawaii, with works with the diocese via an agreement made at the time.
Since February, Crystal Asada has served as the diocese’s VAC.
Asada, who is also a program director for the Na Ohana Pulama program within Catholic Charities Hawaii’s Youth Enrichment Services Division, said “it felt like a natural and important step” to take over the victim assistance coordinator position.
“As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I’ve spent years working with individuals who have experienced trauma, including sexual abuse,” Asada said. “This is a subject that’s often dismissed or seen as taboo — especially when the abuse involves trusted adults or authority figures like clergy.
“That silence can make survivors feel incredibly isolated. I wanted to be in this role so I could help break that silence, offer support and walk alongside survivors as they navigate their healing journey,” she added.
Asada said she has worked with one individual so far, and “it’s clear how powerful it can be for someone to feel heard and supported.”
Compassionate support
Details can’t be shared to ensure the privacy of the individual, but in general, when someone comes forward Asada is the person who meets with them to understand their needs and preferences for care.
“I help connect them with resources such as mental health professionals, assist with the reporting process and coordinate any support services that might help them in their healing,” Asada said. “I also stay in regular contact to make sure they feel supported throughout the process.”
According to Kristin Leandro, director of the diocesan Safe Environment office, staying in touch is one of the key qualities of the VAC — “serving as a qualified, caring and trusted individual who accompanies the victim/survivor on their journey to healing.”
The 2002 USCCB charter states that the nation’s dioceses and eparchies “are to have a competent person or persons to coordinate assistance for the immediate pastoral care of persons who report having been sexually abused as minors by clergy or other church personnel.”
Msgr. Gary Secor, vicar general for the Diocese of Honolulu, said that the professional training of therapists at Catholic Charities Hawaii make them “a perfect resource” to assist the church in “responding compassionately and effectively to victims of sexual misconduct.”
“They are also recognized throughout the state for their abilities in these areas (working with people who have been abused in church and non-church settings),” Msgr. Secor said.
Before becoming vicar general — and before the diocese had a VAC — Msgr. Secor served as vicar for clergy and was the person who reached out to victims who approached the church. He said he did this in consultation with Catholic Charities Hawaii’s “expert” counselors, who now take the lead.
“The role of providing compassionate and effective response has not changed,” he emphasized.
Asada also noted the importance of a trusted resource to help survivors and victims.
Having a VAC “shows that the church takes these reports seriously and is committed to responding with compassion, accountability and support,” she said. “It’s about creating a safe, respectful space for healing and making sure survivors are cared for in a way that honors their experience.”
