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Coalition vs domestic violence seeks Chamber’s help
The Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence is seeking to work with the Saipan Chamber of Commerce in protecting employees from sexual and domestic violence.
In a presentation at the Chamber’s September meeting last Wednesday at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan’s Hibiscus Hall, coalition executive director Maisie Tenorio said that businesses have a special opportunity to create safe zones for workers in order to avoid any form of violence in the workplace.
She suggested increasing employers’ commitment to keep employees safe, as a workplace also is an environment that can be affected by any form of violence.
She said there are laws to punish those who incite violence, particularly Public Law 18-31, or the “The CNMI Anti-Violence Leave Act of 2013,” which protects employees against any form of domestic or sexual violence in a workplace and provides harsher penalties for violators.
In addition, she informed the Chamber about a website on how to protect employees from violence, and how to create policies that can help create a safe working environment. She said the last thing that all employers would want to see is an employee being hurt in a workplace.
“Emotional and mental abuse are more harmful than physical abuse, as the effects last longer compared to a physical cut,” Tenorio said.
The coalition will be observing the month of October as the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and will be holding a number of events throughout the month, including the Purple Walk that honors domestic and sexual violence victims.
For more information about domestic and sexual violence, contact the coalition at (670) 234-3878.
