DVAM starts off with White Ribbon March

The Domestic Violence Awareness Month Committee brought together some 66 men from the community to take part in last Saturday’s White Ribbon March, in connection with the celebration of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

According to DVAM coordinator Esther Milne, the White Ribbon March was conducted with the help of Commonwealth football team associates Jessie Stein and John Blanco, along with Northern Mariana Beauty Pageant Association president Bill Bezzant, vice president Roxanne Diaz, and secretary Jennifer White-Aguon.

Bezzant said he joined the activity to show support for family values and respect for women. “As president of NMBPA, I would say that the pageant is about promoting the status of women in the CNMI and the world,” he said.

“I have some challenges in family living as everyone else does here. It takes a lot of respect, patience, and hopefully you’ll never come to the point of domestic violence. I’m here making a commitment to be physically, psychologically, and emotionally respectful to my wife and the women around me,” he added.

The Attorney General’s Office was ably represented during the march with deputy attorney general Clyde Lemons, assistant attorneys general Jay Livingstone, David Hutton, Grant Sanders, Justin Wolosz, Jeff Warfield, Ed Buckingham, and Jeff Moots.

Volunteers for the event were students from Saipan Southern High School. “We’re for the community, we love doing community service and we love to volunteer,” said Elsie Accad, vice president for SSHS senior class.

Gov. Juan N. Babauta, who is fresh from the investment conference in California, led everyone during the walk that also had Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Juan L. Babauta, House minority leader Heinz Hofschneider, Saipan Mayor Juan Tudela, and Public Health Secretary James U. Hofschneider.

“This is an excellent idea. It’s creating greater awareness of how we should not tolerate domestic violence here in the CNMI,” said Gov Babauta.

“We have to show support. We want to let the community know that we stand firm against the problems in the community. Everyone must enjoy life,” added Secretary Babauta. “My involvement here is to show that I care for victims and to show the perpetrators to stop. Hands off!”

After the march, the men gathered in front of Kristo Rai Church in Garapan to take part in the candle light vigil. Each one lit a candle and dedicated them to their loved ones and the victims of domestic abuse.

Tudela dedicated his candle to his wife and children and to all the people of Saipan that have gone through domestic violence.