Public invited to DVAM events

The public is invited to take part in events and activities scheduled throughout October as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

These events, coordinated by the Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence and the Family Violence Task Force, along with partnering agencies and volunteers, aim to bring communities together with these activities from softball tournaments to walk and rolls to candlelight vigils.

This weekend on Tinian, there will be a three-day softball tournament that opens at 3pm on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, at the Tinian Baseball Field. This will be followed by a Men’s Walk & Roll Against Domestic Violence and candlelight vigil for domestic violence victims.

At the Men’s Walk & Roll Against Domestic Violence, men and boys are invited to walk in skirts, sarongs, or lava lavas to take a stand against domestic violence and violence against women and girls.

The candlelight vigil for domestic violence victims is hosted to honor and remember victims who lost their lives to domestic violence.

The Tinian Softball Tournament will continue through Sunday, Oct. 14 and will conclude with a Zumba session.

On Saipan, there will be a Walk & Roll Against Domestic Violence on Wednesday, Oct. 17, starting with registration at 5pm and the walk at 5:30pm. Registration will be set up at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.’s parking lot.

Later that week is the Day of Unity on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 11am to 3pm at the Garapan Central Park. This family fun event will feature live entertainment, exhibits, games and activities, as well as raffle giveaways.

The last event on Saipan is the Purple Thursday event on Oct. 25, starting at 5pm at the Minachom Atdao pavilion and will feature a Men’s Walk & Roll Against Domestic Violence followed by the candlelight vigil for domestic violence victims.

Purple Thursday is also a national event that occurs in October to encourage people to wear purple to spread awareness of domestic violence and show support for victims and survivors.

Closing out the CNMI’s DVAM 2018 activities will be the Night of Unity on Rota from 5:30pm to 9:30pm on Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Tun Kundo’ Baseball Field. This event will feature family friendly games and activities, live entertainment, food vendors, as well as a Walk & Roll Against Domestic Violence followed by a candlelight vigil for domestic violence victims.

Those interested in volunteering or donating to help support these events may contact NMCADSV at (670) 234-3878 or email info@endviolencenmi.org.

For more information about these events or domestic violence, contact NMCADSV at (670) 234-3878 or email info@endviolencenmi.org or contact FVTF at 664-4583/4584.

If you or someone you know is experiencing violence or abuse, call 911 if you need emergency assistance, or call the CNMI’s Victim Hotline at (670) 234-5100. (PR)