4th Annual Micronesia Non-Profit Congress Invites U.S. Attorney To Speak At Conference

ALICIA A.G. LIMTIACO, U.S. Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI), was invited to speak at the 4th Annual Micronesia Non-Profit Congress ("Congress") which was held March 31, 2014 to April2, 2014. The theme ofthis year's Congress was 'justice for all."

The Congress was sponsored by Payu-Ta, Inc., "Guam's Umbrella Association of Non-Profit Organizations."  Payu-Ta's mission is to promote and strengthen member organizations' capacity and advocate for a progressive and sustainable Guam community.  Payu-Ta's reach spans between Micronesia, Hawaii, and American Samoa.

U.S. Attorney Limtiaco spoke on the topic of"Preventing Human Trafficking in the Pacific  Region," and shared information on the Pacific Regional Response to Combat Human Trafficking Initiative (the "Initiative"), which is a collaborative effort of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Districts of Guam and the NMI, the National District Attorneys Association, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department ofthe Interior, the Guam Human Trafficking Task Force, the NMI Human Trafficking Intervention Coalition, and other community partners. U.S. Attorney Limtiaco also discussed the intersection and
relationship between human trafficking, sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic and family violence, as well as prevention and enforcement efforts in the Pacific region.

U.S. Attorney Limtiaco explained that the Initiative employs a multidisciplinary model, including participation, coordination, and collaboration among law enforcement, prosecution, victim service providers, social services, medical, mental and public health professionals, faith based organizations, educational institutions, Consulates, and other community stakeholders.  She discussed the Initiative's emphasis on the establishment and provision of victim services, investigation and prosecution of human trafficking, training opportunities, community outreach/ public awareness and prevention programs, and creation of human trafficking task forces and coalitions in the Pacific region island communities.  She also remarked that the Initiative provides fundamental training in human trafficking, including victimization, investigation and prosecution,  prevention efforts, and other related topics to law enforcement, prosecution, victim service providers, social services, medical, mental and public health professionals, faith based organizations, educational institutions, Consulates, and other community stakeholders in the Pacific region island communities.

U.S. Attorney Limtiaco also discussed the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood Initiative (PSC) and child sexual exploitation in the Pacific region islands.  She stressed that the threat of sexual predators soliciting children for physical sexual contact is well­ known and serious and that the danger of perpetrators who produce, distribute and possess child pornography is equally widespread.  Both forms of child sexual exploitation have a devastating and destructive effect in our communities.

U.S. Attorney Limtiaco explained that PSC, launched in 2006, aims to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children. Through a network of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, PSC coordinates efforts to protect our children by investigating and prosecuting online sexual predators.  U.S. Attorney Limtiaco closed by emphasizing  that the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney Office are committed to the safety and well-being of every child and have placed combatting sexual exploitation of minors the highest priority.

Front Row L-R: Alicia Limtiaco, U.S. Attorney, District of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands;
Diana Calvo,  Executive  Director,  Catholic  Social  Services, Guam;  Lolita  Munoz, Project  Coordinator, WestCare Pacific  Islands, Guam;  Emele Duituturaga,  Executive  Director, Pacific  Islands Association  of Non Governmental Organizations    (PIANGO),   Fiji;   Cathy   Wasem,    Region   IX,   Honolulu,   Hawaii;    Berni Grajek,    Executive Director, Guma   Mami,  Inc.  and  Board  Chair,  Payu-Ta,  Inc.,  Guam;  Sandra   King  Young,  American  Samoa; Marstella Jack, Pohnpei  Women's  Council,  Pohnpei,  FSM;  Liliu Maliu,  Coalition   Against  Sexual  Assault  and Domestic Violence, American Samoa.

Back  Row  L-R: Rosendo  Primo,  Administrative   Officer, Center  for  Micronesian  Empowerment, Guam;  Julian Aguon, attorney, Guam; James Sablan, Guam; Neal Palafox, University of Hawaii; Dick Steinberg, CEO, Westcare Foundation, Nevada; Larry Raegital, Yap, FSM; Sarah Thomas-Nededog, Vice President, WestCare Pacific Islands, Guam;  Frances  Sablan,  Marianas  Association  of  Non  Governmental  Organizations  (MANGO), Saipan,  CNMI; Cathy  Flores, Guam Humanities Council, Guam;  John O. Gonzales, MANGO, Saipan, CNMI; Shirley Lee Untalan, WestCare Pacific Islands, Guam; Kelly Jensen, WestCare Pacific Islands, Guam; Kathleen Tolosa, WestCare Pacific Islands, Guam; Alson Kelen, President, Marshall  Islands Council of Non-Governmental Marshall Islands.

U.S. Attorney Limtiaco at the 4111 Annual Micronesia Non Profit Congress.