5.5 Causes and Triggers One of the key objectives of the Inquiry is to identify causes and triggers of family violence in Samoa. It is helpful to, first consider the difference between causes and triggers; the commonly accepted underlying causes of all types of violence worldwide; and the theory behind one of the most prevalent types - gender based violence (GBV). 5.5.1 Difference between Causes and Triggers Understanding the distinction between causes and triggers is not often made but it is crucial to do so as classifying triggers as causes can often shift responsibility away from the perpetrator and contribute to the continuation of violence. Nonetheless, the Report will show it is important to address both causes and triggers to completely break the cycle of violence. Inquiry Info Point 1: What is the difference between a cause and a trigger of family violence? A trigger starts something that was already primed to happen. For example feelings of jealousy, alcohol, anger, stress, financial problems etc., can be triggers of family violence.2 A cause is the underlying reason family violence happens. For example, witnessing family violence as a child, power and control, gender inequality etc., can be causes of family violence. Causes and triggers are usually inter-linked, in that they influence each other, so the only way to effectively prevent family violence is to identify and address each and every one. 5.5.2 Power and Control Regardless of the type of violence, violence (within and outside the family setting) has its roots in power and control. ‘Violence’ is a means to exercise and protect power and control over another person. It is basic human nature to want to do so to protect ourselves by limiting the powers others have over us. However, this fails to take into account our civilization, our cultural values, our Faith or our scared relationships. Power and control is exercised through violence by those who have forgotten or have never understood the value of sharing power and control through abiding by principles of love, dignity, equality and fairness. However, power and control is not the sole cause of family violence, rather it underpins all of the other causes and given the complex inter-linking nature it is absolutely necessary to understand those within the context of Samoa. 2See Myth 9 below for more details.