Superior Court Judge Kenneth Govendo briefly explained the judiciary’s role in giving justice to the victims while Attorney General Edward Buckingham underscored the need for community involvement.
This month, the CNMI is observing Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
To mark the occasion, the coalition launched SART or the Sexual Assault Response Team.
Maisie Tenorio, executive director of the coalition, said SART is made up of the coalition, the Department of Public Safety, the Commonwealth Health Center, the Office of the Attorney General and Karidat’s Guma Esperansa. They aim “to ensure the best possible outcomes for victims of sexual assault and to ensure that all victims have access to a broad range of services.”
Keiko Odashiro, coalition coordinator, said Guma Esperansa now offers training opportunity to community advocates willing to assist victims of sexual assault.
Kiki Igitol, program coordinator of the coalition, said they are also organizing a day-long activity to create more awareness about sexual assault in the community.
The Safe, Aware, Free, Empower, or SAFE, Jamboree will be held at the Koblerville Youth Learning Center and Koblerville basketball court from 2 to 9 p.m. on April 30. The public is invited.
