Unlike in the past, however, more and more of these domestic violence cases are being heard in court, according to CNMI Attorney General Ed Buckingham in his brief message to almost a hundred participants in the Walk Against Sexual Violence at the Oleai Pavilion in Susupe on Friday afternoon.
Buckingham said domestic violence is one of the biggest problems in the CNMI today.
He said last year, a lot of domestic violence cases were not brought to trial.
But, he added, “we are happy to inform the community that at least one in every six cases of domestic violence are being heard in court today, and we will do everything to prosecute these cases as fairly and as fast as we can.”
Maisie B. Tenorio, Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence executive director, said a lot of victims of sexual and domestic assault are still out there, scared or refusing to come out.
“What we have is just a small portion of the victims. We need to spread the word to these victims who have kept quiet that there is help and support for them, and they need to get out and speak to end this violence,” Tenorio said.
She added that the numbers are “pretty scary” and the fight against sexual and domestic violence is “overwhelming.”
The coalition doesn’t give direct assistance and services, Tenorio said, but they work with partner agencies and service providers who will take care of the victims.
Friday’s walk kicked off a series activities as the community observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
