‘Campaign vs child abuse year-round activity’

Sparky, the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services’ mascot, holds a sign to show the agency’s support in last month’s commemoration of Sexual Assault and Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness Month. (Jon Perez)

Division of Youth Services administrator Vivian T. Sablan said their campaign against child abuse and neglect does not end in April, but is a yearlong activity that aims to strengthen the family, the smallest component of the community.

The DYS along with their public and private partners like the Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence commemorated Sexual Assault and Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness Month last April.

They culminated the month long event with a roadside waving last April 29 at the intersection of San Jose in Beach Road.

“The program, child abuse and neglect prevention, is throughout the year and not only for the month of April. We go out to daycare center, schools, and government agencies to conduct various presentations,” said Sablan.

“So that we can educate not only the children but also the adults in what we do on ways to prevent child abuse and neglect, and how to bring the family closer together. We are here to strengthen the families, from the kids to the parents.”

Sablan added that DYS has programs to all members of the family—from the kids, adults to the parents. “Because our ultimate goal is to strengthen the family component of our community. Make sure the home is stable, safe, and each member has a healthy relationship with each other.”

This is the second year that the DYS, its partners, and other volunteer groups have done the awareness campaign against sexual assault, and child abuse and neglect. Sablan said the roadside waving activity is the best way of raising awareness.

“We always reach out to the community and we will continue to do it. We are inviting all our partners and everyone to support us so we could continue the program. Even the private sector comes out and help us and do their share,” she said.

“We’re trying to get the word out and [roadside waving] is the best way to raise awareness since a lot of people get to see us. People who just got out of work or picked up their kids from school, people who are on their way home. The intersection is also a main thoroughfare.”

Sablan added that they also partner with different agencies and get the information out in the media. “We have a lot of ways of getting the message out to the public.”

“There must be no room for child abuse and neglect over here in the CNMI. The urge must be strong for us to protect kids to any form of abuse. It is up to us to bring it up to the community so the public is aware,” she ended.