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Kilili: Domestic violation coalition receives $239,000
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence is the recipient of $239,136 from the U.S. Department of Justice, Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) announced last week. The coalition asked Sablan during his first term in office for his help to increase funding to assist victims of family violence in the Marianas. And in 2009 the new congressman, as an original co-sponsor of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, included language that gave domestic violence coalitions in the Marianas, American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands a full “state” share of funding. Previously, the four territories had to split one state allocation of $240,000.
“The problem of domestic violence in our community has not gone away over the last eight years,” Sablan said. “So, this increased funding—one of the first laws I worked on—is just as important as ever.”
The Family Violence and Services Act funds help the Marianas coalition and similar organizations around the country coordinate the various services that are available for victims of family violence. These may include rape and domestic violence crisis centers and domestic violence shelters, along with counseling and intervention services.
The coalition also acts as an advocate for an end to violence against women; and each year Sablan joins the group for its march to draw attention to the problem of family violence.
“As the only brother of six sisters, the father of five daughters, and grandfather of a granddaughter, I want to be sure that women are treated with respect in our Marianas community or wherever they choose to live in America,” Sablan said.
