1. Can you please tell us briefly about the outstanding work you do to end sexual violence in our island community?
I'm currently employed at Guam Behavioral Health and
Wellness Center (the former Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse)
Healing Hearts Crisis Center (HHCC) as a registered nurse with specialized
training as a sexual assault nurse examiner.
Healing Hearts Crisis Center is a program dedicated to providing
services to people who have been sexually assaulted. I hold two certifications in sexual assault
SANE-A (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner - Adults/Adolescents) and SANE-P (Sexual
Assault Nurse Examiner - Pediatrics).
When I received this award in 2012, I obtained my second certification
and was the only SANE-A and SANE-P practicing within the region at the
time. Also during this time, HHCC was in
a state of transition. We were
understaffed but still had the obligation to provide services to our victims,
continue our outreach efforts, while still complying with grant requirements
and section duties. I wore many
"hats" but owe my recognition to the continued support of my family,
my co-workers, GBHWC (DMHSA) and our grantors (Bureau of Statistics and
Planning-Edward Byrne/Justice Assistance Grant).
2. What do you see are Guam’s strengths to support the efforts to end
sexual violence, and where do you feel Guam could improve…and why?
Our culture has always been centered around respect and
family. Unfortunately, sexual assaults
occur by someone known to the victim and is a family member or close enough to
the family where they are considered family.
It was taboo to speak out about abuse but now with more community
partners (local government, military, non-profit and faith based organizations)
and continued outreach (presentations) people are becoming more aware and
taking a stand. It's been a joy to see
the growing community support to end sexual violence where old partnerships are
strengthened and new partnerships are forged.
There's always a need for improvement, any step forward to
raise awareness is a step in the right direction. Whether it be personal conversations with our
loved ones, or reaching out to the community and schools, whatever we do to
raise awareness allows someone to find their voice and take the first steps to
end sexual violence.
3. Please tell us about any current projects and work that you are
presently doing and/or any upcoming plans.
HHCC has Red Flag/ Green Flag presentations to various
public elementary schools. April is
Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month. We have a wonderful partnership with other
service providers within the community, and have several events scheduled for
the month of April. Table presentations
at Agana Shopping Center, reading at Hagatna Public Library on Saturdays, Red
Flag/Green Flag presentations at Finegayen Elementary, public service
announcements, as well as other presentations with our community partners.
4. Who else would in our island community do you feel is also deserving
of this honor and why?
There are so many behind the scenes players. One person who stands out to me is my
co-worker, Candida Lapid. She is a
Community Program Aide with Healing Hearts Crisis Center. She has many duties within the office but her
primary duty is outreach. She has
evolved from a person who was so conscious about speaking in front of people
and when she started off in our program, she didn't understand the dynamics of
sexual assault. Now, she has forged
relationships with public elementary school teachers/nurses/counselors that she
has a steady schedule of Red Flag/Green Flag presentations throughout the year
and recognizes the importance in educating our children on what types of
touches are okay "green flag" and what to do if you have a "red
flag" touch.
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Ann has been a psychiatric nurse
for nearly a decade, she is also a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Adults and
Adolescents (SANE-A). She performs
medical-legal examinations on adult and child victims of sexual assault/abuse
and testifies in court as an expert
witness. Ann also focuses on training examiner assistants to keep professionals
in this field abreast of new developments and best practices in order to ensure
that victims/survivors receive the highest standards of care. Ann demonstrates
a commitment that ensures victim/survivors are cared for as a whole person.
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The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
announces the Visionary Voice Awards annually. These awards, offered in
conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month each April, recognize the
creativity and hard work of individuals around the country who have
demonstrated outstanding advocacy and community work to end or prevent sexual
violence. The NSVRC relies on each state, territory, and tribal coalition to
select one outstanding individual deserving of this honor (only coalitions may
make selections). While we encourage coalitions to look to their local
community partners for outstanding individuals, coalitions may select the
person to receive the award on whatever basis they wish.
The 2014 awardees will be announced on March 27, 2014.
GCASAFV has participated in this since 2010.
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