By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Columnist

Diane Stowell believes she's on to something important, something that could help a lot of people. But so far, she hasn't been able to connect with the people she'd like to help.

Her concern is crime victims for whom there is no arrest, no court case, no closure.

"Seventy percent of the people who are victimized never know who their perpetrator was," Stowell says. "What happens is the victim never goes to court, never gets talked to and is carrying around this junk inside, maybe for years. It might have been an assault, a rape, anything, and he or she has never had a chance to talk about it."

Stowell, a licensed marriage and family therapist, teamed up with Lorenn Walker, a health educator and former attorney, to put together Circle-of-Care, a free service for crime victims. Circle-of-Care is a group process led by trained facilitators. Stowell says she'd be willing to hold groups anywhere, in her office, on a park bench, whatever the situation warranted. She'd just like to get started.

"I think that people are afraid to call or afraid to say, 'Yes, I'm a victim,' " Stowell says.

Circle-of-Care is supported by the Hawaii Friends of Civic and Law Related Education and the International Institute of Restorative Practices. The goal of restorative practices is resolution of an offense beyond punishment. It's about making things right after someone has been hurt. Stowell gives this example from her experience:

"I have in the past worked with a perpetrator and a victim and it came out so fantastic that I couldn't believe it. It was a burglary and he had taken jewels and stuff from her and climbed in the window; this was in Kailua.

"And I brought them both in together and he described what he did and, of course, I asked the question, you know, why did you do it ... and she started talking and pretty soon they were both crying and then pretty soon they were both hugging and pretty soon he said what can I do for you to pay you back, and they set it up that he would do her yard work for eight months. I mean, that was certainly unexpected."

While that is the ideal, for most victims, the reality is unanswered questions and unresolved hurt. Still, Stowell believes, things can be made right again, or at least, made better.

The Circle-of-Care program brochure states: "Having the chance to tell your story and hearing how the crime committed against you affected your family and friends may help you to resolve things — to move forward more easily with your life."

Down the line, Stowell hopes to train some group members to become facilitators. For now, she just wants to get the program started. She's hoping those who can benefit from the program will give her a call.

For details, call Stowell at 955-3534 or Walker at 637-2385.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.