Gov’t lawyer says CNMI needs to update anti-domestic violence law

A government lawyer is urging the Legislature to act on a pending bill that seeks to address the increasing cases of domestic violence in the CNMI.

“It’s something that we really need,” Assistant Atty. General James Benedetto said, noting that pertinent local laws are already “out-of-date.”

Benedetto spoke at the “Tips for Managers” workshop organized recently by the Family Violence Task Force.

The workshop, which was among the activities that kicked off the observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, discussed domestic violence issues in the work place.

Benedetto said the CNMI needs to update its statute by pointing out the differences between regular assault and battery and the type of assault that occurs in family situation.

“Other jurisdictions recognize that,” Benedetto said.

Benedetto said law enforcers dealing with family violence should be able to obtain a temporary restraining order within 24 hours to free the victims from their batterers.

The Family Violence Task Force recently released a report which recorded a total of 400 domestic abuse cases in the CNMI from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31 of this year. These cases have been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office for prosecution.

A pertinent bill pending in the Senate and the House of Representatives seeks to increase penalty for those found violating laws against child abuse and violence in the family.

Benedetto, however, said that while the law defines wife-beating and child abuse as crimes, the community should explore alternatives to address the situation other than locking up the perpetrators.

“Filing criminal charges can’t address the situation all the time. Locking up the perpetrator is only one of the tools to address the problem; it’s a blatant tool, and it should be the last resort,” Benedetto said.

He said the community can be part of the solution by confronting, instead of ignoring, the problem.

In most cases, Benedetto said, even the victims themselves deny the existence of the problem.

“She doesn’t think that what’s happening to her is out-of-the-ordinary because most likely she was in a family where that situation is somewhat normal,” Benedetto said.

Benedetto said the community can help “by speaking up and letting the victims know that there are services available.”

The victims and perpetrators themselves can help by recognizing the problem, and seeking counseling. (MCM)