My fellow Samoans, it is with sadness but also great hope that I greet you and present to Parliament this Report on the National Public Inquiry into Family Violence in Samoa (Inquiry). Sadness because of what we have heard over the course of this Inquiry about the appalling violence suffered across our country within families, and the sheer scale of the problem we are facing. But also hope and optimism, arising from the practical solutions which have been put forward and a realisation of how our culture (Fa’asamoa), Faith, and human rights can help us in addressing the social ill that is family violence. The issue of family violence and violence generally, is one which has come to dominate our news cycles in recent times and it was clear to my Office that something needed to be done. Many before us have tried, and multiple programmes are ongoing, yet the problem not only persists but appears to be worsening. As you will see, the approach that we have taken is a radical one, and only possible by a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) with the broad mandate it has been given by Parliament. Family violence sits behind a veil of silence so it was necessary to lift this veil and create a national conversation – to hear the stories of those from every corner of our country to fully understand the problem, and to ask our people what they think the solution should be. A process whereby everyone from Lalomanu to Falealupo, rural and urban had the opportunity to participate and be heard. Accordingly, my fellow Commissioners, the Inquiry staff and I have spent days, weeks and months travelling around Samoa to hear your voices and this Report is the end result of that. It is not by any means, however, the end of the process. For now the real work begins. Now it is up to each and every one of us to read this Report and develop the comprehensive understanding of family violence necessary for us to play our part in addressing this problem. My staff and I approached the Inquiry with an open mind as to what the root causes were and what the solutions may be. I ask you all to do the same in reading this Report. Some of the findings may challenge what you believe to be true but we need to acknowledge that our current approach is failing. Family violence is flourishing and we need to be open and honest with ourselves if we are to defeat it. On our part, in the process of this Report, we endeavor to accurately reflect the conversations, opinions, submissions and debates which took place in the course of this Inquiry. It was a national conversation like never before and will be reported as such with myself and fellow Commissioners drawing conclusions based on all of the evidence that was put before us. As a nation, we have already come a long way in being able to talk about issues of this nature and that is no small feat. Now, the time for talking is almost over and by the end of reading this Report, I hope