Domestic violence and its effect on children

Exposure to domestic violence affects a child’s well-being, perception of safety, reality around them, and their view of stability, resulting in short-term and long-term problems that manifest themselves in several ways.

This was the center of discussion Thursday by guest speakers Esther Milne and Kathryn Lapiere during the first “Parent Leadership Month Conference” held at the Sand Castle, Hyatt Regency Saipan.

Milne is a coordinator with the Multi Disciplinary Response Team, while Lapiere is a clinical psychologist from the Community Guidance Center.

In their presentation “Domestic Violence and Its Impact on Children,” Milne and Lapiere said there are three major effects of domestic violence at home on children. The first manifests itself through behavioral, social and emotional problems. The second creates cognitive and attitudinal problems on a child, while the third is long-term problems that could lead to trauma and depression on a child.

The Parents Leadership Month Conference attracted some 200 participants, who were mostly parents, teachers, school administrators, and government agency officials.

Vivian Sablan, the conference coordinator, said the first day of the conference turned out very well by meeting its target number of attendees.

“The next step after the conference is that we will have to take a plan of action based on the presentation and result of this event,” she said.

Helga Samba, a mother of four, said the first day of the conference was very informative.

“I think it’s really helping parents become better parents,” she said.

She also agreed that the presentation could help her apply the lessons raised in the conference.

Sablan said the key issues also raised in Thursday’s presentation were more on problems in parenting and problems with communication at home.

Bishop Tomas A. Camacho led the invocation and Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Juan L. Babauta opened the ceremony. Division of Youth Affairs director Felicidad Ogumoro also gave an overview of the two-day conference.

Other speakers included Geri Willis, Sylvia Ada, Patricia Coleman, Nadine Aguon, Dr. Kandra V. Hughes, Dr. Shank Weiler, and Bonnie Royal.

Jonas Barcinas served as the master of ceremonies. The CNMI Youth Congress, led by Divana Dela Cruz, helped with the icebreakers that bridged every session.