Resisting sexual coercion among teens

Sexual coercion has been identified as a problem within the high school population in the CNMI. At the Adolescent Health Center at Marianas High School, adolescent girls report pressure, coercion, and sometimes, force in connection with sexual activity.

Consequently, to meet community needs and promote the health and well-being of our adolescent populations in the CNMI, the Division of Public Health’s Family Planning Program has initiated a community outreach project, called the Pressure Point Project, on preventing sexual coercion targeted at middle and high school adolescents in the CNMI.

The outreach project will use theatrical or performance formats such as short film, one-act play, music-oriented and other performance venues to explore empowerment of the youth to resist sexual pressure or coercion, assisting them in building skills and self-confidence to make good choices in their lives and extending their options and futures.

The project includes a research-based awareness workshop by qualified professionals. Over 20 middle and high school students have already participated in the workshop, which took place at Marianas High School on May 19-21. Hopwood and Chacha middle schools; Marianas, Saipan Southern, and Saipan International high schools, to name a few, had student representatives at the workshop.

On May 6, 2006, a Pressure Point Festival will take place at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe from 9am to 2pm, to launch the project and showcase student-driven works such as prose, poetry, visual arts, music, dance, film, to name a few.

The entire CNMI community is invited to participate.

A live performance by 2006 Marianas Idol Juanette Villagomez and Amberlyn Mendiola will also take place at the festival, including a variety of food and drinks for sale by school clubs.

A prize worth $500 will also be given to the school with the most representation at the festival.

Collaborators of the event include the Division of Public Health, Thespians of the Western Pacific Islands, Friends of the Arts, Marianas High Drama Club, the Saipan Southern High Manta Ray Band, and the Women’s Affairs Office.

“We hope this program will bring awareness and change to reduce teen sexual activity, decrease teen pregnancies, and open doors of choice on which to build a future,” said Latisha Lochabay, Family Planning coordinator and the person responsible for initiating the event.

For more information, contact Department of Public Health’s Roxanne Diaz at 236-8712 or Hal Easton, from MHS, 237-3230. (PR)