It is fascinating to me, a veteran of the local domestic violence movement, that attention to this issue and the community response continues to be limited to the shelters and the police.

Thirty-five years ago, all we had were shelters and the police. Today, thanks to the great work of many allies, policy makers, foundations, corporations, educa- tors, churches, the legal community and elected leaders, we have a much bigger landscape of options for families.

Right now, we are all struggling with the demand, the shortfalls and, it appears, the lack of understanding about how much it takes for a victim to escape.

Making the decision, putting all the pieces into place, securing financial security, parenting her children, keeping her job, and cooperating with all the direction she has received from the courts or child welfare — to name just two — is a significant challenge.

If we continue to place exclusive focus on shelters and on arrests, we are missing so many parts of the solution that need attention, reform and funding. Education, training and prevention are almost always overlooked. How can that be?

There are multiple points of entry into the system that a victim can avail herself of — but only if that system knows they can serve as that entry.

Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in "grand rounds" for Kapiolani Medical Center doctors and medical students. Over the summer, the Institute of Medicine issued its annual report, which recommended that screening be done routinely with patients about domestic violence. Just think what that could be: another opportunity for a victim to receive information in a confidential setting, and the unqualified support offered by her health care provider that she has choices and the right to live free from violence.

This past week, I also participated in a federal review of the child welfare system with state Department of Human Services staff reporting out their work to improve child protective services.

One area they are focusing on, and intensifying their focus on in the upcoming quarter, is improved screening about the presence of domestic violence in a family where it is alleged child abuse is occurring.

This is important work. It represents new ways for mothers (when it is the father who is the perpetrator) who are victims, to receive support and empowering them to better protect their children.

One of the reasons we have to look at alternatives to shelters — they are busy — is that many victims don’t go to shelters. They get restraining orders and stay in their homes. Or they seek legal services and advocacy from the Domestic Violence Action Center, to maneuver the foreign land of the legal system. Or they go to family and friends. Or they participate in a victim support group. It is a disservice to families to narrow down the array of programs to one kind of program.

We must broaden our analysis. The limitations hold us hostage and blind to the possibilities inherent in real vision. We must have all sectors of the community become partners with us in the unending efforts to open pathways to safety and freedom.

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Nanci Kreidman is chief executive officer of the Domestic Violence Action Center.