by Speaker Judi Won Pat
32nd Guam Legislature

Buenas yan Hafa Adai:

After learning that a second victim was beaten unconscious by a criminal who was involved in her assault, Monique Baza, a woman who survived a violent attack last October felt compelled to tell her story of victimization.

"I had had enough; I was not going to be silent and passive anymore!" she stated.

With her statement, she along with other victims of crimes sat and listened as the Attorney General of Guam, Lenny Rapadas and Chief Fred Bordallo of the Guam Police Department responded to queries by lawmakers regarding systemic issues facing law enforcement.

The AG is the Chief Legal Officer of our island. The success of his office sets the tone and standard for the comfort level of our community with regards to public safety.

The police can lock up all the hard criminals and offenders, but if the cracks in the system at the AG's office are not addressed, our victims become perpetual victims of the very system that is supposed to protect them. These criminals return to the streets, become more brazen andcontinue offending.

Ms. Baza is to be lauded for her effort and courage to take a stand and speak publicly once she realized that a culprit in her case continued to victimize our community.

As well I would like to recognize Natasha Pangelinan for coming forward and sharing her story after being victimized.

But it should not be necessary for victims of crimes to relive and retell their individual experiences to bring attention to the failure of the system.

Their focus should be on healing and moving forward with proper support.

Among other initiatives, the Guam Legislature enacted the Victim's Rights Act. This law spells out the process in which victims and surviving family members are to be notified of progress in their respective cases.

I will follow up on Chief Prosecutor O'Mallan's commitment to ensure that prosecutors are educated in the rules regarding victim contact.

The burden should not be on our victims, rather the responsibility must be taken by the AGO to work with the courts and the prison system and even the legislature to ensure this process is met.

We should never have to hear from Ms. Baza or any other victim for that matter that ‘…the lack of communication made me feel so defeated, the government that was supposed to be protecting and representing me was doing a good job at making me feel more and more like a victim.' This is unacceptable and truly unjust!" Saina Ma'ase!