The Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Family
Violence (GCASAFV) purpose is to address sexual assault and family violence
issues with one united voice providing education, outreach and training
regarding sexual assault and family violence. The goal of the Coalition is to
achieve commitment in the community to prevent sexual assault and domestic
violence, by identifying gaps in services to victims of sexual assault and
family violence, as well as making recommendations for changes; speaking out so
that victims of sexual assault and family violence on Guam can readily get the
services that they need; building the capacity of organizations and networks
through training and education in order to meet Guam’s sexual assault and
family violence needs; and ensuring that voices of survivors of sexual assault
and family violence guide the work of the Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault
and Family Violence.
To prevent Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, we as a
community need to work together to educate, prevent, and promote awareness on
sexual assault and domestic violence. In order to prevent these things we must
first understand its meaning. Sexual assault is a crime motivated to control,
humiliate, and harm. Perpetrators use sexual assault as a weapon to hurt and
dominate others. Sexual assault is forced or coerced sexual contact without
consent. Consent is the presence of a clear “yes”, not the absence of a “no”.
Similarly, domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used
to establish power and control over another person through fear and
intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence. These are
manifested typically with violent and aggressive behaviors within the home
involving the violent abuse of a spouse, partner, relative, or children.
As a community, we can prevent sexual assault and domestic
violence by working collaboratively with local service agencies to improve the
capacity of Guam in responding to victims of sexual assault and domestic
violence through the expansion of informational resources available to
stakeholders, both service agencies and the general public. In enhancing
community outreach efforts and united awareness on sexual assault and domestic
violence, engaging the community/public at large will achieve these objectives. Awareness and education would also be
effective in the high school level.
We have to improve our capacity to collect data involving SA
& DV cases to better understand the demographics of these incidences. Better intervention would benefit by a clear
identification of the causes of SA&DV.
Treatment and rehabilitation using programs such as the Batterer’s
Intervention Program would also be beneficial.
Supporting parents through availability of parenting classes would help.
Ensuring that everyone is respected and treated equally
should be part of the core of all of the community efforts.
