Shelter manager Laurie Ogumoro said this is because of additional stress and pressures involving financial burdens and use of drugs.
“When there is no money to pay for school needs, or when alcohol and drugs are more available during the holidays, it usually results in conflicts at homes,” said Ogumoro, who spoke before the Saipan Rotary Club at the Hyatt yesterday.
Currently, the shelter has 39 clients — seven of whom are children and the rest are adults.
The shelter has six rooms only, and Ogumoro said they have to rent another house for the other victims of domestic violence.
“We can use furniture donations for the house which the rest of our clients are using,” she added.
Those who seek shelter at Guma Esperansa are usually victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking.
Ogumoro said the grants they are receiving from the Office of Violence Against Women can accommodate the victims in the transitional housing program up to two years.
Ogumoro said based on her observations, Sundays in the United States and Mondays in the CNMI are the days when most of the domestic violence cases occur each week.
Guma Esperansa is a federally funded program operating on seven different grants but Ogumoro said they are also very grateful to the community for continually giving donations throughout the year.
Since Guma Esperansa opened in 2001, it has served hundreds of victims and helped them get back on their feet.
