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.