responsibility in relation to social cohesion and harmony, the Village Fono needs to establish a credible mechanism for preventing and protecting against family violence. A common suggestion made to the Inquiry was the establishment of ‘Village Family Safety Committees’ (VFSC) within each village, responsible for all matters relating to family violence prevention and protection. The danger to be avoided in establishing such a committee is that it consists only of female representatives and is used as yet another mechanism for marginalising the issue. To be truly effective such a committee would have to include church ministers, STN and SN, senior members of the Village Fono and of the Women’s Committee. All members would need to meet minimum requirements for practicing nonviolence. It would be the focal point for all matters related to family violence and lead on the advocacy in the village. Only through this process can any Village Fono achieve the credibility it needs to actively ensure no further harm is done to victims and to facilitate justice. The establishment of VFSC is therefore soundly endorsed by the Inquiry and an essential requirement for villages to participate in the VFVP. In establishing a VFSC, the Village Fono will also be addressing one of the other concerns of the Inquiry which is the lack of leadership on the matter of family violence. A good place to start is the simple rejection of family violence by traditional leaders and a commitment to understanding and addressing the root causes at the village level. Eighty four percent (84%) of male respondents and 76% of female respondents felt that the Village Fono should be leading advocacy efforts to stop family violence.36 However, the current situation is that the Village Fonos are often the ones playing a role in keeping it alive. The establishment of a VFSC would send a strong signal to the community that the village was serious about tackling the prevalence of family violence. It should not be the only measure however, and the Village Fono is encouraged to be far more vocal in its opposition to family violence wherever possible. Village Fonos/VFSCs must respond to the ‘overwhelming desire for Village Fonos to take the lead’37 and develop their own capacity to become the leading advocates against family violence that is being asked of them. If the Village Fono is to remain credible and relevant in 21st Century Samoa, it must assume this responsibility with the sensitivity and diligence that is required. That is not to say that they must do it all on their own and support should be provided to them by central Government in carrying out this new function. The role of the Village Fonos/ VFSCs should be to educate their residents on the causes and effects of family violence, raise awareness of services and legislation and play a direct role in the protection of individuals. An example can be found in the case of Avele college, detailed above which resulted in the suspension of the vice-principal and teacher. In that instance, it was the intervention of the Village Fono after they had heard of the violence the students had been subjected to that led to the action against the teachers. Without this intervention it is unlikely that the teachers would have been disciplined. It is an 36 Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development. (2017). Samoa Family Safety Study. Document 46 in Inquiry anthology, accessible at www.ombudsman.gov.ws. 37 Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development. (2017). Samoa Family Safety Study. Document 46 in Inquiry anthology, accessible at www.ombudsman.gov.ws.