Torres, OAG endorses anti-domestic violence bill

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, seated second right, and Rep. Antonio P. Sablan (Ind-Saipan) listen as Attorney General Edward Manibusan delivers his speech during last Friday’s presentation of a proposed bill against domestic violence to members of the Legislature at the Governor’s Office conference room. (Jon Perez)

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and the Office of the Attorney General presented to the Legislature their proposal to amend the CNMI’s domestic violence laws as part of efforts to combat and control this problem in the Commonwealth.

Attorney General Edward Manibusan and his staff, led by assistant attorney general Michael Witry, who drafted the bill, joined Torres in presenting to the Legislature—led by Senate President Francisco M. Borja (Ind-Saipan) and House majority leader Rep. George N. Camacho (R-Saipan)—their proposed bill.

Torres said the OAG’s proposed bill was timely after he recently signed a proclamation declaring October as the 22nd Domestic Violence Awareness Month. “It’s good that the administration, the AG, and the Legislature are united when it comes to this issue.”

“It is important for us, with October being Domestic Violence and Sexual Awareness Month, to stiffen laws against all those perpetrators and predators. We must always treat women with dignity, love, and respect,” said Torres.

He added the draft bill was a collaboration of Manibusan, Witry, and the entire OAG. “We [administration and OAG] are working with a couple of bills that would address issues that we’ve been having regarding domestic violence laws.”

“I want the community to know the administration is serious in cracking down with this kind of behavior. We want to promote this kind of legislation and I encourage the Legislature to act on it as soon as possible.”

Manibusan said the proposed bill is part of recognizing their efforts against domestic violence. “We are presenting a proposal in the area of domestic violence and we must promote awareness with this kind of problem in our community.”

“I commend the OAG’s staff, from those who worked behind the scenes to those who prosecute the offenders and protect the victims. It is a great deal of work to be done to prevent domestic violence, abuse, and sexual assault but we must work as a team to combat this growing problem.”

Witry said the bill has three components, first of which is classifying the offense of strangulation as a felony. “Because strangulation is a major warning sign that the abuser has the potential to kill their victim.”

“Majority of states have laws that have strangulation as a felony, that would give you up to seven years in prison. Research showed that victims of strangulation have a 750 percent chance of being killed by their abuser,” said Witry.

The proposed bill would also modernize the CNMI’s stalking laws where it aims to protect people from those that are not covered by the current laws. Lastly, the bill presents a set of rules that applies to domestic violence cases.