Again the lack of reliable data and information on the impact of family violence towards this group requires comprehensive study in order for firm conclusions to be drawn. 8.3 Fa’afafine46 and SOGISC persons The Inquiry was told that verbal abuse of fa’afafine is so common and normal that many do not see it as a problem so it is not reported, with parents being the most common perpetrators. Once more the interrelated nature of violence is becoming more apparent. The SFA highlighted that young boys showing feminine traits at a young age are often subjected to severe violence at the hands of their own families. This is not reported due to a number of reasons: intimidation of the victims, fear of reprisals and being disowned, lack of effective redress, and a belief that no crime has been committed. “When I was young I thought it was normal to be smacked every time I hang out with girls or wear my sister’s clothes. Now that I’m older I realise how wrong it was for my family to do that but that’s Samoa […] they beat us out of love to make us stronger men, at least that’s what I thought.” Inquiry public consultations participant “It saddens me to see young boys who are confused and unsure of their identity being subjected to physical violence by the hands of their own family in the name of making them tough so they do not turn into fa’afafine.” Inquiry public consultations participant In the same manner that physical and verbal discipline/violence/abuse within relationships and towards children is becoming accepted and normalised, it appears this is also the case in relation to fa’afafine. Other groups which remain almost hidden are people of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or sex characteristics (SOGISC persons – including fa’atama, gay, and lesbian, bisexual, queer, transgender, intersex etc.). Public understanding of these groups and the meaning of the words describing them is zero awareness and understanding. The fact that these groups are hidden in Samoan society makes them particularly at risk of family violence because access to services and being able to report violence are even further limited than they are for people who do not identify within these groups. There is an almost widespread lack of understanding in Samoa of the differences between these groups. To help afford a degree of greater visibility it is beneficial to briefly describe the nature of these groups of people. 46 The term fa’afafine is a cultural identity pertaining to Samoa and is not considered part of the western ideology of persons with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.