Speaker Judith T. Won Pat, Ed.D. is Guam’s 2014 National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) Visionary Voice Award Recipient

                                                                                           (Center: Speaker Judi Won Pat)

1. Can you please tell us briefly about the outstanding work you do to end sexual violence in our island community?

In my capacity as the Speaker of the Guam Legislature and as the Legislative Chair of the committee that has oversight of both education and women’s affairs, I have worked to raise awareness and support policy that puts an end to sexual violence in our community. I was the primary co-sponsor of the laws against human trafficking. I have sponsored resolutions raising awareness about sexual violence and commending the efforts of community advocacy groups who work hard every day to provide services to victims of sexual violence. I have also used the forum of my weekly radio address to encourage our community to ban together to prevent sexual violence. I have supported various community groups that combat sexual violence by attending meetings, helping to organize and speak at community events, and participating in community waves.

I have been blessed with the opportunity to be a spokesperson for women and women’s rights at local, regional and international forums. I have delivered keynote addresses about the advancement of women and young girls here, in the Marshall Islands, Chuuk and Palau.

I am one of the founding members of Fuetsan Famalao’an (Women’s Strength), a group of local women leaders who came together in response to the announcement of the movement of Marines from Okinawa to Guam. In particular, we voiced legitimate concerns about how the military build-up would impact the lives and safety of local women and children. 

In local forums and presentations I always say, “na påra” – enough is enough. We must stop the violence in our community. I will continue to use my voice to help bring an end to sexual violence.

2. What do you see are Guam’s strengths to support the efforts to end sexual violence, and where do you feel Guam could improve and why?

Strength: Because Guam is a small island community, we are all closely interconnected. In the Chamorro culture this has translated into the custom of inafa’maolek – the act of making things good for each other. We have an innate ability to care for those around us, especially during times of crisis. I think of how our families come together during a death, and despite the pain of the loss, we are able to help each other and grow stronger. Or the way we come together as an island community during a natural disaster. We are able to set aside our differences and rebuild our island, together. This is a strength that must be used to end sexual violence. The increase in crime and sexual violence in our community is a crisis, and the only way we are going to stop it is if we work together in the spirit of inafa’maolek.

Need for Improvement: Since statistics show that sexual violence often involves a perpetrator who is known to the victim as either a close family member or friend, more needs to be done to provide safe spaces for victims to go to report this violence. Just as our small, interconnected community is a strength in combating this crisis, it can also be a weakness. Victims are often afraid to report what has happened to them because they fear breaking up their family, or being ostracized. Victims should never have to feel this way, especially our young girls, who may not even know there are resources available to them. We need to strengthen services for victims at every level and provide them with the resources they need to feel safe and empowered. We also need to educate our young boys and girls about healthy relationships and respect. More could be done in the schools to teach our children about the impacts of sexual violence, the resources available to them if they have been assaulted, and how to treat and respect others.

3. Please tell us about any current projects and work that you are presently doing and/or any upcoming plans.

Our island needs more information and statistics on the advancement of women in our community. My office is working on legislation to improve data collection related to women and women’s affairs. For example, we are drafting a bill that would require the tracking of data on the number of women-owned small businesses to eventually be able to provide a preference for these businesses in government contracts. I also see a need for more frequently released statistics and data about sexual and other types of violence in our community to increase awareness and strengthen policy. I am also interested in strengthening the role of the Bureau of Women’s Affairs in advancing opportunities for our local women.

I am committed to supporting the efforts to open a one-stop Family Justice Center for victims and their families. I truly believe in this idea, because I know it will help victims feel safe when reporting violent crimes. I would also like to explore and introduce legislation that will help to provide more resources for the victims of violent crimes, and that will help to prevent these crimes from happening in the first place.

As an educator and a mother, I am always encouraging more education about sexual violence. I would like to work more closely with the Department of Education to develop curriculum and programs that will promote healthier relationships and educate our children about sexual violence and how to prevent it.

4. Who else would in our island community do you feel is also deserving of this honor and why?

I was very moved and inspired by the story of Monique Baza. When she spoke up about what happened to her, and challenged us all to improve the way victims are treated, I was blown away by her strength and courage. Since her assault, she has become a voice for victims and has really pushed our community to do better. I admire her efforts and believe that she is definitely a visionary voice. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) announces the Visionary Voice Awards annually. These awards, offered in conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month each April, recognize the creativity and hard work of individuals around the country who have demonstrated outstanding advocacy and community work to end or prevent sexual violence. The NSVRC relies on each state, territory, and tribal coalition to select one outstanding individual deserving of this honor (only coalitions may make selections). While we encourage coalitions to look to their local community partners for outstanding individuals, coalitions may select the person to receive the award on whatever basis they wish.

GCASAFV has participated in this since 2010.

AnnParo Rios is Guam’s 2012 National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) Visionary Voice Award Recipient

                                                                         (Left: AnnParo Rios; Right: Dr. Ellen Bez)

                                                                                                             (Healing Hearts Crisis Center)

1. Can you please tell us briefly about the outstanding work you do to end sexual violence in our island community?

I'm currently employed at Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (the former Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse) Healing Hearts Crisis Center (HHCC) as a registered nurse with specialized training as a sexual assault nurse examiner.  Healing Hearts Crisis Center is a program dedicated to providing services to people who have been sexually assaulted.  I hold two certifications in sexual assault SANE-A (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner - Adults/Adolescents) and SANE-P (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner - Pediatrics).  When I received this award in 2012, I obtained my second certification and was the only SANE-A and SANE-P practicing within the region at the time.  Also during this time, HHCC was in a state of transition.  We were understaffed but still had the obligation to provide services to our victims, continue our outreach efforts, while still complying with grant requirements and section duties.   I wore many "hats" but owe my recognition to the continued support of my family, my co-workers, GBHWC (DMHSA) and our grantors (Bureau of Statistics and Planning-Edward Byrne/Justice Assistance Grant). 

2. What do you see are Guam’s strengths to support the efforts to end sexual violence, and where do you feel Guam could improve…and why?

Our culture has always been centered around respect and family.  Unfortunately, sexual assaults occur by someone known to the victim and is a family member or close enough to the family where they are considered family.  It was taboo to speak out about abuse but now with more community partners (local government, military, non-profit and faith based organizations) and continued outreach (presentations) people are becoming more aware and taking a stand.  It's been a joy to see the growing community support to end sexual violence where old partnerships are strengthened and new partnerships are forged. 

There's always a need for improvement, any step forward to raise awareness is a step in the right direction.  Whether it be personal conversations with our loved ones, or reaching out to the community and schools, whatever we do to raise awareness allows someone to find their voice and take the first steps to end sexual violence. 

3. Please tell us about any current projects and work that you are presently doing and/or any upcoming plans.

HHCC has Red Flag/ Green Flag presentations to various public elementary schools.  April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month.  We have a wonderful partnership with other service providers within the community, and have several events scheduled for the month of April.  Table presentations at Agana Shopping Center, reading at Hagatna Public Library on Saturdays, Red Flag/Green Flag presentations at Finegayen Elementary, public service announcements, as well as other presentations with our community partners.

4. Who else would in our island community do you feel is also deserving of this honor and why? 

There are so many behind the scenes players.  One person who stands out to me is my co-worker, Candida Lapid.  She is a Community Program Aide with Healing Hearts Crisis Center.  She has many duties within the office but her primary duty is outreach.  She has evolved from a person who was so conscious about speaking in front of people and when she started off in our program, she didn't understand the dynamics of sexual assault.  Now, she has forged relationships with public elementary school teachers/nurses/counselors that she has a steady schedule of Red Flag/Green Flag presentations throughout the year and recognizes the importance in educating our children on what types of touches are okay "green flag" and what to do if you have a "red flag" touch.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ann has been a psychiatric nurse for nearly a decade, she is also a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Adults and Adolescents (SANE-A).  She performs medical-legal examinations on adult and child victims of sexual assault/abuse and  testifies in court as an expert witness. Ann also focuses on training examiner assistants to keep professionals in this field abreast of new developments and best practices in order to ensure that victims/survivors receive the highest standards of care. Ann demonstrates a commitment that ensures victim/survivors are cared for as a whole person.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) announces the Visionary Voice Awards annually. These awards, offered in conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month each April, recognize the creativity and hard work of individuals around the country who have demonstrated outstanding advocacy and community work to end or prevent sexual violence. The NSVRC relies on each state, territory, and tribal coalition to select one outstanding individual deserving of this honor (only coalitions may make selections). While we encourage coalitions to look to their local community partners for outstanding individuals, coalitions may select the person to receive the award on whatever basis they wish.

The 2014 awardees will be announced on March 27, 2014.

GCASAFV has participated in this since 2010.

Leticia Piper is Guam’s 2011 National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) Visionary Voice Award Recipient

                                                                                                (Left: AnnParo Rios, Right: Leticia Piper)

1. Can you please tell us briefly about the outstanding work you do to end sexual violence in our island community.

When I received recognition for the Visionary Voice Award, I was working for the Healing Hearts Crisis Center, so my work was solely in the area of serving victims/survivors of sexual assault. I was fortunate to be a part of their first steps towards healing when individuals decided to come forward after being assaulted. I also had the opportunity to participate in prevention efforts with other agencies in the community which included talking to children in the schools to teach them the differences between red/green flag touches and situations, respecting other people’s bodies and who to turn to in the event that they found themselves in a red flag situation, so that hopefully they could prevent a red flag touch. I also worked with the Healing Hearts team and our main funder, the Edward Byrne grants, to ensure that there was funding set aside for public awareness efforts to make sure to get the message out about how serious a problem sexual abuse is on our island and that the Healing Hearts Crisis Center was ready and willing to help them.

2. What do you see are Guam’s strengths to support the efforts to end sexual violence, and where do you feel Guam could improvement…and why?

What I see as a strength of our island is that there is a growing number of individuals and groups in the community that are dedicated to the efforts to end sexual violence. These individuals don’t shy away from talking about sexual violence and the need to end this violence that plagues families on Guam. We as a community have come a long way and are starting to talk to our children more than shy away from conversations surrounding these issues.  In time, this can only strengthen the island as a whole, and when everyone believes that sexual violence must stop, we are that much closer to ending the problem.

3. Please tell us about any current projects and work that you are presently doing and/or any upcoming plans.

In my current position, I was involved with putting together an application for the Office on Violence Against Women’s Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program in an effort to expand the services that we at Guam Legal Services Corporation-Disability Law Center can provide to victims of sexual assault, family violence and stalking.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Leticia has many roles at Healing Hearts Crisis Center. Leticia has done the work as program manager, intake social worker and child forensic interviewer. Leticia assists those most vulnerable to assault and abuse, has devoted her career to the care of sexually abused children, and has hopes and aspirations to develop a Children's Advocacy Center on Guam.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) announces the Visionary Voice Awards annually. These awards, offered in conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month each April, recognize the creativity and hard work of individuals around the country who have demonstrated outstanding advocacy and community work to end or prevent sexual violence. The NSVRC relies on each state, territory, and tribal coalition to select one outstanding individual deserving of this honor (only coalitions may make selections). While we encourage coalitions to look to their local community partners for outstanding individuals, coalitions may select the person to receive the award on whatever basis they wish. 

The 2014 awardees will be announced on March 27, 2014.

GCASAFV has participated in this since 2010. 

Question and Answer Interview with Inafa’ Maolek Executive Director Christina Balajadia Noket

1. What is your mission (goals & objectives) at Inafa’ Maolek?

Inafa Maolek is a conflict resolution organization dedicated to reducing violence related litigation and fostering peace and harmony in schools, workplaces and communities. We will enhance peacemaking through advocacy, mediation and education.

2. What specific services does Inafa’ Maolek provide?

We offer MEDIATION SERVICES

Mediation is a process in which two parties meet in a private, confidential setting to work out solutions to their conflict with the aid of a third party, neutral person, called a mediator. Inafa’ Maolek has been engaged in providing mediation services for our local community since 1983.

Our Inafa’ Maolek volunteer mediators are committed to creating a more peaceful community. This is evident through the many hours of their time and talent that they donate to assist other members of their community find peaceful solutions to their conflicts. Our volunteers have assisted thousands of people through their mediations of over 1400 cases to date.

WE OFFER RESTORATIVE JUSTICE SERVICES

 

Restorative Justice (RJ) is founded on the belief that the harm caused by crime represents a conflict between offenders and victims in a community context. RJ sessions provide a context within which people can take responsibility for their actions, restitution can be made to victims, offenders can be reintegrated, and harmony can be restored to a community. Through this safe and neutral process, the direct or indirect involvement of all parties affected by the offender’s actions opens communication. By opening the door of communication, the opportunity for understanding, compassion, reconciliation, and forgiveness can begin. The parties involved are empowered by participating in this form of justice, translating into a stronger, more cohesive community. People with strong ties to their communities are less likely to engage in destructive behavior. Building community capacities can provide youth with the “social web” necessary in order to make a successful transition back into their community.

 

Inafa’ Maolek has been involved in assisting our public schools with riot incidents between students. Our restorative justice facilitators have been called in to George Washington High School, Southern High School and Benavente Middle School, to name a few. Students involved in these incidents were given the opportunity to express their feelings about the incident and to listen to how these incidents have impacted others. Many of these sessions resulted in the youth gaining an understanding of the consequences of their actions and handshakes with each other.

3. Who is your target audience?

Our mediation services are targeted for those who would benefit from a neutral party to assist in the resolution of a conflict, including but not limited to employers, families, couples who are seeking divorce, etc.

4. What are your hours of operation and what is the best way for people to reach you that are interested in assistance?

The Inafa Maolek office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00AM--1:00PM and 2:00PM--4:30PM or by appointment.

5. In addition to direct services, what resources does Inafa’ Maolek offer?

We are committed to education.

PeaceTalk is our series of conferences that we offer to the community to help increase our knowledge about conflict resolution, mediation and peacemaking. We remain committed to creating the capacity for our community to Grow from Conflict into Inafa Maolek and look forward to the next 30 years.

Since 1994, Inafa’ Maolek has conducted over 200 Peer Mediation training sessions for youth in Guam’s schools and throughout the Pacific. The sessions focus on training participants to handle and assist in resolving the conflicts of their peers in hopes of attaining positive and long-lasting results in addition to relieving the bitter feelings that accompany conflicts, unlike many of the traditional disciplinary methods used in schools.

The training educates students on how to constructively and actively assist others through a variety of lectures, activities, and role plays. Through our efforts, we hope the participants will learn the responsibilities of a peer mediator, the underlying causes of conflict, guidelines for constructive conflict resolution, the elements of a fair resolution, and effective communication skills.

Although our trainings have taken a slower pace, due to the decreased funding available, our Founder and President Emeritus Patrick Wolff works diligently to source out possible partners to help us continue this program. Likewise, our board of directors, led by chairman Joey Lopez remains committed to supporting this program, a cornerstone of our menu of services.

We are happy to announce that we have been approved to provide training for 10 schools, which should be completed by the end of this fiscal year.

6. Thinking about current events, how do you foresee recent events in your field of work affecting your organization and its work?

There has been a lot of crime in the news recently. Inafa Maolek stands ready to assist with Restorative Justice services for victims of crime. Additionally, Inafa Maolek is preparing to train schools in peer mediation so that they are equipped to offer this program to their schools.

7.  Can you discuss your community partnerships and how they contribute to the overall success of Inafa’ Maolek individually.

Inafa Maolek relies heavily on its partnerships in the community. As a non profit organization, our partners help to spread awareness about Inafa Maolek and its services as well as contribute to the funding needed to keep the office open. Many of our cases get referred to us through our partners.

8. Can you touch on the history of Inafa’ Maolek and how the organization is set up?

Inafa Maolek was started in 1983 by three attorneys, Patrick Wolff, Charles Troutman and John Dierking. These attorneys wanted to provide the community with an alternative to litigation, especially in cases that deal with families and relationships. They decided that community mediation program, utilizing volunteer mediators would be an alternative that would work for Guam. They increased their capacity to offer the service by offering training for mediators. Inafa Maolek continues to offer these trainings to continue to increase our pool of mediators. 

The success of the community mediation program and increasing trend across the country of school based programs prompted Inafa Maolek to explore the idea of bringing a similar program into the schools. In 1997, the first peer mediation training was held at John F.Kennedy High School and since then, Inafa Maolek has conducted over 200 peer mediation trainings across the island.

9. Any upcoming plans or projects that our island community should be aware of?

We think outside of the box with our Peace Theater Program.

In 1997, three Inafa’ Maolek members attended a conference in Fort Worth, Texas on Conflict Resolution and watched a group called “The Vortex”. This group, under the direction of Dr. Merilyn Hetzel (Theatre Director at the Metropolitan State College of Denver), presented a 45-minute shop about conflict resolution. Patrick Wolff was impressed and aspired to benefit the people of Guam with similar performances. With the goal of creating a similar show on conflict resolution, an arrangement was made for Dr. Hetzel to come to Guam.

A cast of youthful, energetic individuals was formed and trained through a series of intense acting sessions in preparation for Inafa’ Maolek’s very first onstage performance, entitled “Pakyo, the Typhoon: Opportunity Riding on a Dangerous Wind”. Finally, the show debuted on August 1, 1997 with the aim of spreading awareness to sensitive youth issues, including bullying and dating violence. To date, this show is by far Inafa’ Maolek’s most popular and receives positive feedback from audiences of various demographics. Since its creation, a myriad of shows have been produced and performed that implement culturally relevant metaphors and personal experiences as their foundation.

The result is completely original and full-length shows without the aid of props, costumes, and sets specially designed for Guam audiences. Each member of the cast is proud of this work and knows that the audience will be too. The goal of Peace Theatre performances is for audiences to relate to the scenes and learn to prepare for and deal with conflicts throughout their lives.

We will be recruiting cast members for this program over the summer.

10. Why do you think the work you do is important to our island community and the world at large?

Inafa Maolek is among the few organizations that is dedicated to creating a more peaceful community. We have a lot of work to do to engage more partners and make peace a priority. We also need to increase our community's capacity to build peace. This can be done through training and education, policy changes, and direct services.

Follow Your Gut

Follow Your Gut

Chuck Hagel, the U.S. Secretary of Defense was interviewed by a reporter and asked if the U.S. military was “overreacting” by putting missile interceptors in the Pacific in response to North Korea’s threats of a nuclear strike. He explained that the U.S. military must take defensive action based on probable threats because “When it comes to nuclear threats, you only have to be wrong once.” 

Don’t Wait, Act Now

So, what does this have to do with sexual assault and family violence? The common theme is that we cannot afford to wait until we know “for sure” that we are in danger before taking action to protect ourselves - because by then it will be too late.

Trust Your Gut

Often times we have a gut feeling that something is a bad idea, that something is wrong or about to go wrong, but because we don’t know for sure, we ignore our gut feeling, proceed anyway, and regret it later. 

Recognize Manipulation

This is not to say that victims of sexual assault and family violence should be blamed because they “should have known” that something bad was going to happen. However, most acts of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse start with small things that we somehow feel are wrong, but we don’t know for sure. To complicate matters, abusers may tell us that there is nothing wrong with their behavior and that we are “crazy”, “silly” or “oversensitive” for feeling the way that we do. When we try to put up boundaries, they may respond with “I was just joking”,  “Don’t get defensive”, or some other response that minimizes our feelings and tells us we are over-reacting. So, we become manipulated into ignoring our gut and letting our guard down.

Much like the U.S. military we need to be vigilant at all times and set up healthy boundaries at the first sign of a potential threat. By the time we know “for sure” that we are being sexually, physically, or emotionally abused” the damage has been done.

So, what does it mean to follow your gut?

Dr. Valli Kanuha from the University of Hawaii demonstrated this at one of the Coalition’s recent conferences: Put one hand on your chest and the other hand on your belly button. Our most important decisions should be made from the area between your two hands. What does your heart tell you? What does your gut tell you? When we make safety decisions above the neck, our mind often rationalizes, telling our heart and gut to be quiet and let the mind do the thinking. Decisions made from below the waste are even more confusing when hormones take over!

So when you get the “gut” feeling that you are being abused, manipulated, or taken advantage of in some way, say “NO,”  get away, or put up some boundaries. Your gut is probably right!

Blog Post Written by: Rosemarie B. Camacho, MA, IMFT, ICADC

Rosemarie B. Camacho is a Individual, Marriage, and Family Therapist and Certified Substance Abuse Treatment Counselor III who specializes in sexual assault recovery, family violence, substance abuse, depression, and anxiety.  She currently serves as the President of the Association of Individual, Marriage and Family Therapists. You may learn more about Rosemarie's professional training and experience at http://www.linkedin.com/in/rosemariecamacho

Question and Answer Interview with Guma’ Mami, Inc. Project Coordinator Jirrah Paz Cabrales Bautista

.  

1.What is your mission (goals & objectives) at Guma’ Mami, Inc.?

My goals and objectives, along with providing services that will facilitate the reintegration of individuals with developmental disabilities and serious mental illness, are to raise the community’s awareness of the issues that women with disabilities and elderly women face – especially cases involving sexual and domestic violence. 

As the Program Coordinator for Guma’ Mami, Inc.’s STOP Violence Against Women grant, it is my goal to ensure that we provide events and activities to the community which are aligned with the grant’s objectives.  We provide direct services to women with disabilities who are survivors of sexual violence through our monthly women’s support group, and we go out into the community to provide Safety Plan training in order to empower and educate the public.  I also coordinate various other community-based workshops for the consumers that are served by Guma’ Mami. These workshops range from recreational-therapeutic sessions, wellness-promotion workshops, creative-art workshops, vocational preparation workshops, etc. 

Overall, my objective is to plan and coordinate various activities for our consumers to gain skills and knowledge that will assist them in reintegrating back into the community to lead quality lives.

2. What specific services does Guma’ Mami, Inc. provide?

Guma’ Mami, Inc. provides a residential program and a community based program.  We currently have two community homes in Mangilao, Mary Claire Home and Independent Group Home, where up to 5 individuals are placed. Each has a home and are provided with a transitional residential program. GMI also has community-based programs including a monthly women’s support group for women with disabilities who are survivors of sexual assault and/or domestic violence, various community-training workshops, and various community outreach activities that provide the general public with information about the services available.

3. Who is your target audience?

Individuals with developmental disabilities and/or serious mental illness.

4. What are your hours of operation and what is the best way for people to reach you that are interested in assistance?

Our Community Homes in Mangilao are 24/7- we have staff on shift every day and every hour.  Our main office is located in Sinajana and our hours are 8:00am-5:00pm, Monday – Friday.  Our number is 477-1505, and people can contact me via email at jirrahc@guam.net.

5. In addition to direct services, what resources does Guma’ Mami, Inc. offer?

GMI can provide various training workshops to organizations, employees, management staff, and agencies throughout Guam.  Our goal is to educate both our clients and the community that surrounds our clients.  We provide training workshops that educate employers about how to interact with persons with disabilities through various topics such as “People First Language” where the focus of the training is treating individuals with disabilities as people rather than a disability.  GMI’s goal through these workshops is to encourage the community to become more inclusive- in the workplace, school and public areas- so that our consumers can be more successful at reintegrating back into the community as independently as possible.

6. Thinking about current events, how do you foresee recent events in your field of work affecting your organization and its work?

The Federal sequestration has definitely placed a financial burden on our programs.  For example, we have had to cut our budget and be as creative as possible to ensure that we are still providing quality care to our consumers and to the community that we serve. We are constantly thinking of creative ways to provide quality service on a budget.

7. Can you discuss your community partnerships and how they contribute to the overall success of Guma’ Mami, Inc. individually.

The partnerships that Guma’ Mami, Inc. has formed and maintained over the years have contributed greatly toward the mission and success of Guma’ Mami‘s efforts in the community.  Without these contributions to our various art exhibits, workshops, and programs the consumers whom we support would not receive the quality service that we provide.  We have had hotels and furniture stores donate new and used furniture to our clients; other organizations have contributed staff talent to lead training sessions/workshops; and various companies have donated money and/or food to our annual events where consumers directly receive food.  The partnerships we have formed with various government agencies have allowed us to serve as advocates for our consumers.  We are able to voice their opinions, their struggles and their hopes for positive change in the community.  These partnerships allow us to provide various organizations, agencies and businesses with input that can have a positive impact in the community our consumers are trying to reintegrate into.

8. Can you touch on the history of Guma’ Mami, Inc. and how the organization is set up?

Guma’ Mami, Inc. (GMI), is a 501©3 private non-profit organization serving the Guam disability community for over 32 years.  Guma’ Mami’s mission is to facilitate the full inclusion and integration of adults with cognitive disabilities and other developmental disabilities and adults with serious mental illness into their communities through individual and family supports.  In line with this mission, Guma’ Mami’s programs provide residential services to individuals who are referred through Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center.  Individuals, organizations, companies, and agencies in the community can sign up for our various workshops and trainings sessions by contacting our office @ 477-1505.

9.  Any upcoming plans or projects that our island community should be aware of?

In April, Guma’ Mami will host our annual Clothesline Project that also promotes awareness of the violence that women endure.  This is an opportunity for the public to participate by creating their own t-shirt that expresses their thoughts about violence against women.  

10.Why do you think the work you do is important to our island community and the world at large?

I think that the work that Guma’ Mami, Inc. does in the community is important to our island community because it gives a voice of advocacy for many of the island’s most vulnerable, overlooked, and underserved populations.  The work that we do to increase awareness of the issues that our island’s people face, including violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment and abuse is important because we find that there are many people who do not know what to do or where to turn to if they or someone the love is faced with such a crime.  It’s important that the people of our island community are educated about the available resources, the identification of these wrongful actions, and their ability to do something to make a difference.  We want to encourage our community to view people with disabilities as human beings before seeing their disabilities or social status.  By providing the “People First” workshops, we teach leaders, employers, and teachers how create an inclusive environment.

11. Lastly, could you please provide any current relevant statistics that you have.

We recently received statistics from GPD regarding sexual crimes on the island.  According to these reports, in 2013 there was a total of 250 arrests made for family violence, 84 arrests made for sexual assault, and 17 arrests made for stalking.  These numbers appear to be lower than previous years, however the fight against these crimes continues. 

In 2012 a report published in the Social Science Research Network by the Violence Against Women with Disabilities Working Group titled “Forgotten Sisters- A Report on Violence Against Women with Disabilities: An Overview of its Nature, Scope, Causes and Consequences” was released.  This report takes a look at this issue on an international scale, and due to its recent release, has been referenced in several websites advocating for human and women’s rights. This report states that “women with disabilities are twice as likely to experience domestic violence and other forms of gender-based and non-sexual violence as non-disabled women, and are likely to experience abuse over a longer period of time and to suffer more injuries as a result of violence” (Ortoleva, Stephanie and Lewis, Hope, Forgotten Sisters - A Report on Violence Against Women with Disabilities: An Overview of its Nature, Scope, Causes and Consequences (August 21, 2012). Northeastern University School of Law Research Paper No. 104-2012. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2133332).

These are just a few figures to consider when thinking about whether or not there is a need for programs like ours.    

Question & Answer Interview with Sanctuary, Incorporated Executive Director Millie Lujan

1.    What is your mission (goals & objectives) at Sanctuary?

Simply stated, Sanctuary’s mission is “Helping Youth and Families Help Themselves.” 

2.     What specific services does Sanctuary provide?

Over the course of 42 years Sanctuary’s services have grown to address the needs of the island.  Services include:

·         COED Emergency Shelter

·         24 Hour Crisis Hotline

·         Transitional Living Program

·         Sagan Na’Homlo Residential Treatment Program (for adolescents needing inpatient drug and alcohol treatment)

·         Various outpatient treatment programs

·         Permanent Housing Program

·         Youth and Adult Anger Management Groups

·         Parent Support/Parenting Skills Groups

·         Street Outreach Program

·         AmeriCorps Program (Largest on Island)

·         Outreach and Aftercare Case Management

·         Internship and Practicum Placement/Supervision

·         Family Wellness, Active Relationships, and Relationship Intelligence psycho-educational groups

3.     Who is your target audience?

Sanctuary programs are designed for youth and families of youth between the ages of 12 and 24. Age is the major qualifying factor for all programs.

4.     What are your hours of operation and what is the best way for people to reach you that are interested in assistance?

Regular business hours are Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm.  The main office number is 475-7101.  However, the 24 hour crisis hotline number is 475-7100; offering crisis response 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

5.     In addition to direct services, what resources does Sanctuary offer?

Sanctuary has many relationships with community organizations as well as governmental agencies.  Referrals to and from other services offered on the island are very common.  In addition to this, our team of professionals can be seen giving training and presentations at various community events, in schools, and for governmental agencies such as GDOE and DYA.  Furthermore, Sanctuary hosts an annual parent/child conference, the annual Youth Fest, and the Blue Carpet Gala.

6.     Thinking about current events, how do you foresee recent events in your field of work affecting your organization and its work?

The short answer is financial strain.  Most non-profits have been affected by the growing financial crisis locally and internationally; Sanctuary is no exception.  There is an increasing need for services and diminishing funding resources. 

7.  Can you discuss your community partnerships and how they contribute to the overall success of Sanctuary individually.

As stated earlier, Sanctuary is fortunate to have good working relationships with many other human services organization on the island.  Without these partnerships and relationships, getting our clients the services they need will be really tedious.  Keeping good working relationships ensures that we offer our clients all the services that they can benefit from and be able to do so in a timely manner.

8.       Can you touch on the history of Sanctuary and how the organization is set up?

Sanctuary was founded in 1971 by Father Robert Phelps and Mr. Louis Martinez as an alternative to the Juvenile Justice System.  We aim at providing the social services youth and families need before they are entangled in the governmental “systems.”  In 1971 there were seven host families that would take in homeless, runaway, and victims of abuse.  Prior to Sanctuary, homeless and runaway youth, as well as victims of abuse, were housed in the Youth Correctional Facility. 

9.     Any upcoming plans or projects that our island community should be aware of?

Island Wide Youth Fest will be held on April 5^th at Sagan Bisita in Agat.  Also, upcoming events are advertised on our website.  www.sanctuaryguam.org

10.  Why do you think the work you do is important to our island community and the world at large?

Without Sanctuary, there will be many gaps in the “system.”  The different types of services we offer are additional to what is available through the government.  We are but a link in the continuum of care chain that the youth of Guam can hang onto.

11.  Lastly, could you please provide any current relevant statistics that you have.

Many are surprised to learn of the different statistics within the organization and that of the entire island population.  Some of these include:

·         About 40% of the homeless youth who seek shelter refuge have identified themselves as homosexual

·         Approximately 50% of elementary students do not live with both Mom and Dad

·         Nearly 40% of high school students do not have any relationships with their fathers

·         An estimated 70% of the youth who enter our drug and alcohol residential treatment have a mental health condition other than drug and alcohol use.

Sanctuary is the oldest surviving non-profit organization on the island.

Sanctuary is accredited by CARF and is the only adolescent accredited institution in the Pacific region.