8 Oct 2007

Family violence appears to be on the rise in Guam

12:11 pm on 8 October 2007

Guam's prosecution service is being over whelmed with family violence cases with only three territorial prosecutors to handle nearly 1,500 cases.

The Pacific Daily News in a special report says prosecutors receive about two new cases of family violence a day.

But officials say about a third of the cases are dropped when victims decide not to prosecute those who abused them.

Prosecutor Basil O'Mallan told the newspaper he's actually been in a courtroom with a victim with two black eyes from a beating saying she wants to drop the case.

Chief Prosecutor Phil Tydingco said family violence cases appear to be growing.