Reunion Online

It was an ordinary day in October, 2002. Julie Weil and her infant son were picking up Julie’s daughter, three-year-old Emily, from her Florida preschool at noon. As Julie buckled her daughter into her car seat, she felt a sudden blow to the head.

 A new study reveals the number of Hawaii families touched by child abuse.

The Joyful Heart Foundation asked people around the state if they know someone who's been abused. Approximately 40 percent of those people answered "yes."

According to the study, 80 percent feel that it's a major problem, but the remaining 20 percent think it's a minor one.

In Hawaii, 64 percent of residents have difficulty recognizing child abuse, and 2 out of 3 would report abuse to Child Welfare Services if the child is a stranger. This is according to an unprecedented statewide study, released today, jointly commissioned by the Hawaii Children's Trust Fund and the Joyful Heart Foundation.

Joyful Heart CEO Maile Zambuto and board member Valli Kalei Kanuha, Ph.D, discuss the findings of new research on the Perceptions of Child Abuse and Neglect in Hawai'i on Sunrise Hawaii News Now. The research report, released in partnership by the Joyful Heart Foundation and the Hawai'i Children's Trust Fund, is available for download.

The Retreat held their 16th Annual Artists Against Abuse Benefit Gala at the Ross School Lower Campus Field House on Saturday, June 25, 2011.

Of course, I am attracted to beauty. I am really thrilled, though, when design is infused with emotion and genuine meaning. Case in point, recently we collaborated with Mariska Hargitay and the whole dream team at her Joyful Heart Foundation to bring the purpose of the foundation’s work to life in the décor of their annual fundraising gala in New York City.

Yoga enthusiast Heather Mnuchin and her instructor to the stars Alanna Zabel recently launched AZIAM, a line of yoga-wear that is not only turning heads, but had a charitable aspect. Ten percent of the proceeds from their new "Pure Joy" wife lover (as opposed to a wife beater) are given to the Joyful Heart Foundation, an advocate for victims of sexual abuse that was founded by Law & Order's Mariska Hargitay. BAZAAR chatted with Mnuchin to get the inside scoop.

The fact that there are estimated to be almost a quarter of a million untested rape evidence collection kits collecting dust in police department warehouses across this country remains a national embarrassment.

Yesterday, our deputy editor received a email with a message that was long overdue from rape victim Helena Lazaro.

Mariska Hargitay and Hilary Swank attend the 2011 Joyful Heart Foundation Gala on Tuesday (May 17) at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.