The Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence hosted its 8th Annual SAFE (Safe, Aware, Free, Empowered) Jamboree that saw the participation of nearly a thousand. <\/p>\n
Maisie Tenorio herself was amazed by the turnout. \u201cIt\u2019s pretty awesome\u2026we had a really great turnout today\u2026we\u2019re really happy with the turnout,\u201d Tenorio, NMCADSV executive director, said. <\/p>\n
According to Tenorio, the event has grown to become the signature event during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt is part of our campaign and it gives the community an opportunity to learn about the different issues\u2026it\u2019s just a way for the community to come out, learn about sexual assault, and meet service providers in a safe environment,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Tenorio said the event was established for victims of sexual assault to feel supported. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s also a way for survivors to know that all of these people are supporting them\u2026hopefully, survivors will come and they can see all of these people who believe in them and know that all these people have their backs and they will feel empowered to report and get the help needed,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
This year, aside from educational exhibits, the coalition included a new segment called Advocate Lip Sync Battle. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is our way of embracing our voice, that\u2019s our theme this year. We are challenging ourselves to really own our theme and to put ourselves out there to entertain our community and to show that even though it is hard to put ourselves out there, we\u2019ll be courageous,\u201d Tenorio said. <\/p>\n
The coalition, the Division of Youth Services, and the Attorney General\u2019s Office came head to head during the Advocate Lip Sync Battle for the Show Stopper award, the Work Hard Play Hard award, and a monetary prize of $500. <\/p>\n
The Division of Youth Services was awarded the Show Stopper trophy and the Attorney General\u2019s Office won the Work Hard Play Hard and $500 cash prize. <\/p>\n