“The work that we do at the coalition is education and awareness,” coalition executive director Maisie Tenorio said.
The topics that the coalition will discuss include mental health, technology and safety, and healthy relationships versus toxic relationships.
The coalition will also host its first ever motorcade for Domestic Violence Awareness Month on Oct. 10.
Tenorio encouraged community members to check the coalition accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates and schedule of activities.
This year’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month theme is “HOPE: Heal, Overcome, Protect and Empower.”
Tenorio said the theme resonates for many survivors in light of the past few months’ “intense isolation.”
Tenorio said survivors need community support.
“They need our support to overcome their current situation. They need us to help them with empowerment,” she said.
In her presentation at the online 7th Annual Women’s Summit hosted by the CNMI Women’s Association on Thursday, Tenorio said when the social distancing protocol was implemented due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many survivors reported having no access to support systems.
“Even pre-Covid-19, survivors talked very often about feeling isolated from everyone around them. When the social distancing protocols were put in place, and everyone was told to stay safe at home, it was not possible for victims because home was often not a safe place for them. If they were isolated pre-Covid, that isolation probably grew exponentially during the pandemic,” Tenorio said.
She said the coalition will continue to increase understanding and awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault.
For emergency assistance, call any of the following numbers:
- Karidat’s 24/7 Victim Hotline — 234-5100
- Office of the Attorney General’s Victim Witness Advocacy Unit — 237-7600
- Division of Youth Services — 237-1773, 285-2780, 285-2781
- CNMI Family Court — 783-7825
- Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence — 989-9878
