what they deem to be appropriate but this should be done with the support and guidance of central
government. MWCSD have already made efforts in this area and developed the book (Tusi
Fa’amāmāvega), which looks at how Samoans can meet their cultural obligations without placing
themselves in financial difficulties.62
The financial empowerment of families is a lofty ambition that will not be achieved overnight or through
a singular approach. It will require multiple efforts on multiple fronts, most notably the Village Fono in
developing and enforcing limitations and central Government in conducting effective programmes that
are undertaken across the nation.
RECOMMENDATION 35: Address traditional and religious giving practices to
reduce family violence arising from financial pressures and increase financial
empowerment programmes.
Village Fonos to introduce by-laws to limit contribution to fa’alavelave.
Church guidelines introduced to limit giving based on family income.
Families to take responsibilities and to consider alternative ways to
minimise cultural and religious financial obligations.
Government financial empowerment programme expanded and impact
monitored.
16.3 Anger Management & Jealousy
INQUIRY FINDING 46: Anger and jealousy can both trigger family violence and
be used as a tool by perpetrators; by addressing both issues the prevalence of
family violence can be reduced.
In Part IV, the Inquiry identified the dual role anger plays in family violence, both as a control mechanism
for perpetrators to scare their victims into submission, and in other situations as a trigger to violence. It
is dangerous to ascribe the latter when the former is actually taking place as it absolves the perpetrator
of total responsibility, enabling them to instead blame it on anger. To effectively address the roles anger
plays in the prevalence of family violence a comprehensive understanding of the two different roles it
plays must first be developed and widely understood.
Armed with that knowledge an assessment can take place as to whether a person has anger management
issues or is using anger as a tool to control their victim. If a person does have anger management issues
then they should be referred to Government evaluated and monitored programmes for rehabilitation.
62
Ramona Boodoosingh and Penelope Schoeffel. (2015). “Addressing Violence against Women in Developing Countries: The
Case of Samoa.” Document 82 Inquiry anthology.
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