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Guam - With the season of giving in full effect, why not give back to the guardian angels of our community?


Being a victim or survivor of crime or a traumatic event can be scary, but there are guardian angels like victim advocate Sarah Taitano to hold your hand through the way.


"The services were offer are emotional support. We can accompany clients to the police department to make reports. To the courts to hearings. we can accompany them in the process of getting a protection order whether it be at Guam Legal Services, public defender, or on their own. We also offer emergency shelter, emergency transportation," she said.


Taitano is one of the many advocates of VARO short for Victim Advocates Reaching Out, the 30-year-old non-profit group offers free and confidential services to those who've fallen victim to domestic violence, family violence, child abuse, sexual assault and stalking.


In 2013 alone, VARO serviced 215 primary clients. A breakdown of the numbers show 122 of these cases were family violence related, 22 child abuse related, and 18 child physical abuse.


"We do fill in a gap of services. Victims don't necessarily want to go to GPD right away and they kind of just want to see what's out there for help. And by calling our hotline, we help them that way and hopefully with more funding, we'll grow," she said.


After decades of giving back to Guam residents, VARO is looking for the community's help this holiday season. Specifically, they're looking for residents to run in the race to end domestic violence and sexual assault.


VARO treasurer Karen Carpenter said, "We call it the break away 5k and our theme is we run so they don't have to. because that really is why we're there. We're trying to prevent family violence, sexual assault so victims and survivors don't have to run away from their own homes."


The 5k is set for this Saturday, November 29 at the Tamuning Gym. Showtime is 5 a.m. go time 6 a.m. registration is $8 per person, $25 for a group of four, and $7 for students. Registration is available at hornet and the Tamuning Mayor's Office and also available on race day.


For more information, email varoguam1@yahoo.com or call the VARO hotline at 477-5552.