GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios on Tuesday led the signing of a proclamation designating April as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Awareness Month at the San Vicente Roundhouse.
Joining them were Division of Youth Services Chief Administrator Vivian T. Sablan, first lady Diann T. Torres, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, Miss NMI Earth 2020 Maria Terlaje, Chacha Ocean View Middle School student Gherald Castro, Dandan Middle School student Joann Garcia, and lawmakers.
Garcia read the proclamation, which states that child abuse and neglect have impacted the CNMI community.
The governor and lt. governor then signed the proclamation, which also mentioned that in 2020 a total of 302 cases were reported in the CNMI —271 on Saipan, 27 on Tinian and four on Rota. These involved 449 multiple allegations including 79 physical abuse cases, 66 sexual abuse cases, 136 emotional abuse cases, 91 neglect cases, and 76 cases involving suicide, teen pregnancy, domestic violence and drug use.
Sablan said DYS will continue to provide prevention programs and intervention services to raise awareness and help reduce risk factors in its efforts to strengthen families in the CNMI.
According to the proclamation, effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of “strong partnerships among parent leaders, social service entities, schools, policy makers, religious and civic organizations, non-profit organizations, law enforcement agencies and business community in our Great Commonwealth.”
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios pose with other public officials and children in a group photo following the proclamation of April as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Awareness Month at the San Vicente Roundhouse on Tuesday.
Office of the Governor photo
