The Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI) relies heavily on our tourism business but like all countries around the world, CNMI has greatly suffered from these tough economic times.  Our tourism business has greatly declined even though there has been an increase in incoming flights form Korea, Japan and China.  The CNMI was unable to allocate local funds for a victim compensation program.  Although, all Domestice Violence Agencies, and other independent programs that offer victim services received the same amount of fund as previous years, it has been difficult for these particular programs to operate with the same amount, being that prices have been rapidly increasing. The future looks gloomy, being that there 

The Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA) continues to work with STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Act and VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grant sub-grantees to maximize the use of thier funds.  The Family Violence Task Force (FVTF), which members are those who provided victim services such as Office of Attorney General, Community Guidance Center, and VOCA and VAWA sub-grantees meet monthly basis to discuss pending issues, as well as issues to help victims.  FVTF members discuss what hardships they are experiencing and would ask for the group's feedback and suggestions on how to better the situations. Also, we try to improve on procedures or pratices that have been established. One example, is the lone non-profit victim service provider, Karidat Social Services (a FVTF member) has three programs Guma Esperansa, CNMI's lone Women's Shelther, Victim Hotline Program, and Victim Advocacy Project, these programs receive VOCA funding.  Since the CNMI is a "small" community compared to some towns and cities in the States, they are able to contact with other agencies, such as Law Enforcement, Commonwealth Health Center, Community Guidance Center, Courts, etc for referral or assistance of a victim as soon as possible. As for public, the FVTF members coordinates the yearly Domestic Violence Awareness Month which is held in October which events are planned for the whole month, on all three islands, Saipan ROta, and Tinian.  The month is full of events that aims to inform the commnuity about domestic violence. Also VOCA sub-grantees print out posters and brochures and passes them to the public, one way they do is, is they join in government sponspred events such as the Family Fun DAy and Hafa Adai Youth event, or in community events such as the Street Market (which is held every Thursday at the tourist District Area, but also happens to be a CNMI resident attarction as well), during these events programs build booths and pass out informitive borchures, and other materials. Also, the posters are posted on various public places as well, such as bulletin boards outside the stores, school offices, and other public venues.  Within this year, the Victim Hotline Project has had updated their billboards on all three main islands, Saipan, Rota, and Tinian. Some programs, posts their information on phonebooks and newspapers, as another option to better inform the community.

The CNMI continues to make no distinction between federal and non-federal victims. The social service providers assist ALL victims, as allowed by VOCA provisions, providing necessary victim services, some examples are shelter/safe house, counsleing, transportation, and etc.

One of the activities that VOCA Victim Assistance Grant has helped us with is the continuation of the training for VOCA sub-grantees.  VOCA sub-grantees make it a point to obtain training every other year or yearly on different and related fields, such as Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. For example, our Victim Hotline Coordinator and Victim Advocate went to the National Center for Victims of Crime National Conference in June in Oregon. Our other Social Worker from our neighboring island, Tinian was able to go to the 34th Annual NOVA Conference, that otherwise would not have gone without the assistance of the VOCA funds. Also, the Victim Hotline Program has used some of thier awarded funds to conduct training seminars for volunteers, the number of volunteers has been steady for the past couple of years, and the program is doing its part, by continually training people as well as trying to recruit new people.  For program evaluation wise, the CJPA office conducts program evaluation once a year to all sub-grantees. Each Program will fill out a questionairre sheet as well as the program coordinator visits the area of the program to make sure the program is operating to the fullest extent. Also, all sub-grantees must submit a quarterly report to CJPA to report on how many victims served, and other progress on the program itself.

One of the most notable trials occured this year, was CNMI's first stalking trial, which was a team effort of the whole Family Violence Task Force. Of course, the victim was assisted by Karidat Social Services, the victim along with her children was placed in the women's shelter for her safety. The person was convicted of stalking and other crimes, and also he was ordered to be deported. Then as a common protocol clients of the women's shelter are asked to honestly fill our a Client Satifaction Survey, in order to help the Shelter as well as the agency to imporve or add on to services. One client wrote on the comment section worte "knowing that I don't have to be anybody but myself. And I like knowing that when needed someone to talk to I was surrounded by people who care and are always thoughtful to my kids." Another client wrote: "I would like to thank Laurie and all the staffs for heling me in my worst situation, for you guys gave me courage to stand on my own two feet. Thank you all very much. I will treasure all the things you guys have done to(sic) me." This anecdote comes directly from the Victim Hotline Program which shows a coordinated effort from  Hotline Program and the Women's SHelter.  The story is as follows "The Hotline recieved a call from a man named Brian.  Brian was requesting a shelter for a Chinese friend who has been abused by her husband and chased out of the house. I told Brian of the available serivces that Karidat can offer.  I asked him if I could speak to the victim but he said she was too emotional right now, and so I asked Brian to bring the client to the hospital.  About 20 minutes later, Brian called again to advise the hotline that he and victim are on the was to San Antonio to pick up the victim's passport and some personal belongings . Brian then called to tell the Coordinator that he is at the parking lot of CHC. I immediately called the shelter for pick up.  Shelter called me when victim was (sic) up that client and apparently had an existing restraining order AGAINST her. I told the staff that the shelter should keep her until the next day,  Coordinator (of the shelter) came to the shelter to check on the status of the victim and of course strong feeling that something is worng. Husband apparently is a Caucasian and knows his way around the system and he abused the victim know that the victim is Chinese and don't know how to file a restarining order, (and) speak little english. Victim stayed wiat the shelter until her hering and the judge ordered the husband to stay away from the victim too. Caller then moved out of the shelter and to a friend's house. The Hotline Coordinator had printed some cards like the logo with the number for the hotline for Saipan, Tinian and Rota foor the woman to keep in her purse." case is still pending...

Some of the emerging issues are, there are a higher number of crimes due to hard economic times.  It is getting more difficult to make ends meat, with our minimum wage is low and the cost of living is very high in the CNMI. People are becoming fustrated and resulting to crime as a result of their fustrations, whether it be stealing or domestic violence.  Another is that Guma Esperansa is presently serving victims of humantrafficking, the need to provided an organized response to this crime is becoming more apparent. Although, the Women's Shelter, is getting help through their Human Trafficking Grant. There is STILL a need for a Multi-Disciplinary Response Team. It is become more difficult to get a coordinated group together. CNMI is in dire need of a MDRT that will work in a fashion where victims of sexual assault can get assistance. Speaking of, MDRT, there is a also a great need for SANE Nurses, CNMI still does not have a certifed SANE Nurse. Some nurses from CHC, including a pediatric Nurse was able to go on a SANE Training/Conference, but more training is needed for them in order to become Certified. 

CJPA continues to attend meetings, workshops, and other training meetings, also participate in events. The Program Coordinator continues to monitor the programs' progress and usage of funds, by visiting the programs from time to time.  CJPA continues to maintain a close working relationship with the sub-grantees to ensure that victims are provided with quality and prompt services.  Also, CJPA conducts a yearly workshop for sub-grantees on how to utilize the funds as well as proper protocol on paperwork, such as Quarterly Progress Report, and travel documentation.