The Healing Hearts Crisis Center in Guam has significantly upgraded its services for survivors of sexual assault through the acquisition of specialized examination equipment funded by a grant from the Bureau of Women’s Affairs. This initiative aims to improve the examination process and evidence collection necessary for prosecuting offenders.
According to a statement from the Bureau of Women’s Affairs (BWA), Healing Hearts is the only rape crisis center on the island. The newly acquired equipment, which includes a colposcope and rape exam kits, will enable healthcare providers to perform more thorough examinations of survivors. This is particularly crucial given that Guam regularly ranks among the top five areas in the United States for rates of domestic violence and sexual assault, as reported by the FBI Uniform Crime Report.
The funding was part of a larger grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women, which aims to support victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. The BWA utilized the 2020 Increasing Criminal Justice Responses (ICJR) grant to allocate a total of $53,105.65 to the Healing Hearts Crisis Center. This funding facilitated the purchase of essential equipment and training for medical professionals.
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero emphasized the importance of this funding, stating, “The Bureau of Women’s Affairs having secured funding for this type of equipment and to train sexual assault examiners, as well as fund victims’ legal services… is part of our administration’s efforts to help victims and deter perpetrators.”
The statistics reveal a troubling trend: over the past six years, approximately 71 percent of criminal sexual conduct cases reported to the Guam Police Department have involved minors, predominantly females. In light of this, Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio remarked, “Behind each sexual assault number is a person whose life is forever changed by this crime… there is never any excuse for sexual assault.”
The equipment purchased includes a basic colposcope valued at $10,055 and covers training costs for seven registered nurses and one pediatrician. According to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, colposcopic examination can significantly enhance the documentation of injuries related to sexual assault. The study concludes that “an examination protocol that includes colposcopy may be the most reliable means to document and characterize genital findings in rape victims.”
Carissa Pangelinan, director of the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center, which oversees Healing Hearts, stated that the colposcope is vital for forensic examinations. She reiterated the commitment to patient-centered care, emphasizing the importance of informed consent throughout the examination process.
The grant also provided resources for other critical initiatives. In addition to supporting Healing Hearts, funding was allocated for audio and visual recording equipment for the Guam Police Department. This equipment is designed to facilitate Forensic Experiential Trauma Interviews to ensure that evidence is effectively collected for prosecution. Police Chief Stephen Ignacio highlighted the benefits of this technology, noting, “The recording equipment… allows the victim to tell their story one time, instead of four or five times.”
Furthermore, the grant has funded two victim advocate positions for the Guam Police Department, as well as personnel for the Office of the Attorney General and the Guam Public Defender Service Corporation. These efforts aim to provide comprehensive legal support for victims of sexual assault.
The BWA is planning to apply for another ICJR grant next year to continue enhancing victim services and bolster law enforcement capabilities in prosecuting crimes. The ongoing commitment to improving the response to sexual violence reflects a broader societal effort to create safer environments for all individuals in Guam.