During the proclamation signing yesterday which declared October as the Domestic Violence Awareness month, Assistant Attorney General George Hasselback said the two main goals should be defining domestic violence established by the statute, and providing services to the victims.
“Domestic violence involves more than one member of the family who is getting physically abused but it is a long list that ripples and involves other people like the victim’s family, friends and the community,” Hasselback said.
He said the court enforces orders for the perpetrators not to have any contact with the victims in domestic violence cases.
Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo said the community needs to send out the message that domestic violence “is not okay.”
“Domestic violence is human nature, and we have to deal with it everyday,” he added.
He said domestic violence is everybody’s issue.
“A hundred couples may have domestic arguments but one out of the hundred could die because of domestic violence,” he said.
The leader of the Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence, Maisie B. Tenorio, said victims should not feel they are alone.
“It is important for the victims of domestic violence to know that they don’t have to go through the abuse and suffering alone,” she said.
She encouraged the community to call the domestic violence hotline at 234-5100.
This year’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month carries the theme “Embracing Hope: Healing Generations, One Survivor at a Time.”
Other activities set for the month include a Day of Prayer at San Jose Church on Oct. 4, a candlelight vigil and Men Against Violence Walk from Minachom Atdao to Hakubotan and back on Oct. 9, a walk at the Oleai Beach Pavilion from 4 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 14, and an outreach program for the Wise Women Village Project at the Tanapag social hall on Oct. 17, 24 and 31.
Tenorio said they will also be at the street market in Garapan every Thursday to entertain questions and provide information to the community about domestic violence.
The proclamation signing at the governor’s office was also attended by chief prosecutor Kevin Lynch, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Santiago F. Tudela, police officers, and representatives from other agencies.
