7.1.6 Prevalence of physical and harsh verbal violence/discipline The experiences of Tavita, Tina, Falaniko’s children, Solomona and Teulia gave the Inquiry an insight into the types of violence endured by children in Samoa. Their experiences are representative of many, with 9 out of 10 of boys and girls being subject to violence in their lifetime, and 69% of girls and 63% of boys experiencing violence within the past 12 months.8 This indicates violence is both widespread and common. The most common type of violence experienced by both boys and girls in Samoa is emotional abuse. 43% of children reported experiencing emotional abuse, and 35% reported subject to both emotional and physical abuse, while 12% said they are subject to only physical abuse.9 The SYNC supported these statistics in their evidence to the Inquiry. They reported that regular forums and work undertaken by the SNYC has shown that the majority of their members suffer from low selfesteem due to continuous and consistent harsh verbal discipline/violence by family members and the community at large. The above figures only account for the direct violence endured by children in Samoa. A rarely considered type of emotional abuse against children is the witnessing of violence within the family unit, usually towards one of their parents. The Inquiry heard stories of mothers being punched, stabbed and verbally abused as their children sat and watched, or sometimes pleaded for it to end. The Inquiry also heard as siblings watched on in horror as their father struck their brother with a machete who then died in a heap in front of them. Expert witnesses who have studied family violence for years highlighted numerous murder cases between intimate partners where the child was present in the final moments.10 Most parents would not classify their approach to discipline as a violent one. However, no matter whether Samoan parents believe their methods of discipline (verbal or physical) to be violent, the evidence above shows they are. Thus, we must consider why we continue to allow such disciplining methods in our society. In order to provide greater clarity on this matter the Report will later seek to provide the first national definition of what constitutes violence versus reasonable punishment. The statistics and case studies highlight how emotional or physical violence plays a part in the majority of Samoan childhoods. The consequence of this upbringing and such exposure to violence needs to be fully understood in order to assess its effectiveness and determine whether it is in the best interests of the child. This is considered in section 9.1. 8 Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development. (2017). Samoa Family Safety Study. Document 46 in Inquiry anthology, accessible at www.ombudsman.gov.ws. 9 Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development. (2017). Samoa Family Safety Study. Document 46 in Inquiry anthology, accessible at www.ombudsman.gov.ws. 10John Devaney. (2015). “Research Review: The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children.” Irish Probation Journal, 12. p. 82. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/506f/db2353976001352213a72baf3c48aaa743c0.pdf . Accessed 30 May 2018. See also Terra Katherine Pingley. (2017). “The Impact of Witnessing Domestic Violence on Children: A Systematic Review.” Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers. Retrieved from https://sophia.stkate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1779&context=msw_papers. Accessed 30 May 2018.