Since 2001, Karidat has operated a shelter for victims of domestic violence, Guma Esperansa (“House of Hope”). This is the only shelter of its kind in the CNMI and we have had men, women and children as clients at one time or another. This week I had a chance to sit down with one of our shelter staff to ask a few questions about GE.
Please tell us how clients usually come to Guma Esperansa.
Our first contact with new clients often comes through DPS and Hotline referrals. Some of our guests will voluntarily call on their own, and others are brought to us by DPS after an incident of violence or maybe a hospital visit. No one is compelled to come and guests may leave at any time.
Various social workers, the Domestic Violence Intervention Center, DYS, CNMI Coalition of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault also partner with us.
Who is eligible to come to G.E.?
Anyone in the CNMI who has been a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault or who is being threatened with violence by an intimate partner, if they need to get to safety and have nowhere else to go, may come to GE by contacting us through the hotline. Victims of human trafficking are also included in this, as are children even if they themselves have not been victimized, but are simply accompanying a parent who is a victim.
Karidat welcomes people in need regardless of their ethnicity, sexual orientation, immigration status or religion. We have had clients from the CNMI, the U.S. Mainland, P.I., Micronesia, Japan, China and other places.
What can guests expect during their stay at GE?
All shelter services, including the cost of meals and basic necessities of life, are 100% covered while at GE.
As far as the physical space, GE is in a large building with a shared communal kitchen, living room and dining room. There are five large rooms with two full-size (double) beds in each. There is a shared bathroom down the hall for all the rooms, and one private bathroom. Guests do their own cooking and can make reasonable requests for grocery preferences. There is an outdoor playground and space to play for children and we have found that kids are quite comfortable and happy while at GE.
How long can someone stay at GE?
There is no specific time limit, however GE is only set up to be a temporary emergency shelter. Guests are free to leave anytime but we try to work with them to make sure that they are in a good situation upon their departure, with a safe home and way to provide for themselves and their children.
While at the shelter, case management is provided and includes assistance filing a TRO (Temporary Restraining Order) and court accompaniment, registering for public assistance benefits (if eligible), along with employment and housing search help as needed.
On average, our clients will stay for a couple of days up to several months.
What kinds of rules does GE have in place?
While at GE, it is expected that all guests abide by the house rules. Sometimes there are multiple families or individuals all staying at once and it is important that everyone feel safe, and as comfortable as possible. Children must behave themselves appropriately and other residents, staff and the property and grounds must all be treated with due respect.
In addition, there are some specific rules that must absolutely be followed or clients might be asked to leave: Guests must agree not to disclose the location of the shelter, for the safety of all current and future clients. Clients must be committed to keeping the peace and resolving disagreements with other guests quickly. Of course no illegal drugs or alcohol are permitted on site. And there is a strict curfew of 9pm on school nights and 10pm on weekends which means that anyone who has left GE for the day or the evening must be back on the premises by that time (unless working a job).
How do guests spend their time while at G.E.?
That is very much up to them. If they have jobs, or if kids need to go to school, life can go on as usual as long as they feel safe. During the “down time” they can cook or watch TV or do anything they usually would in their own homes. We have counseling services that guests can avail themselves of, if they request it.
So, what is this hotline you mentioned? Is that the number to call if someone needs immediate help?
The Hotline is operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The victim hotline is an anonymous, confidential telephone service for Saipan, Tinian and Rota which provides one-on-one support, crisis intervention, options for next steps and direct connection to sources for immediate safety.
The number to call is 234-5100.