This has been further exacerbated by the fact that the vast majority (89%) of matais are male,84 and many of those are perpetrators of family violence or at the very least want to maintain the social hierarchy that affords them power and control. Combined with declining standards and shifting expectations of the role of the matai there is little inclination for matai to take the issue of family violence seriously and it is apparent that yet another one of the protection mechanisms constructed by the Fa’asamoa has been undermined to the point of non-existence. This is further broadening the foundation for family violence. INQUIRY FINDING 30: Matais are not able to directly protect victims of family violence and taking no responsibility for this, means that matters are kept within the family walls but not resolved. Matais are currently not doing enough to prevent family violence by leading by example and promoting non-violence among their relatives. 8.4 Church The Inquiry was encouraged to hear from a number of church ministers who spoke out strongly against family violence and the role of the church, explaining measures that have been put in place. The NCC, for instance, is a key partner under the National Action Plan for Children and has been actively involved in child protection activities and addressing some of the causes and triggers of violence. The critical role of the Church was agreed upon during the Inquiry consultations, but so too was the feeling that this responsibility is not currently being met in general, despite the few examples of good practice. “Church ministers and their wives are very influential and have an important role to play in using teachings to build strong families, provide support, advise and counsel families in trouble. It is felt that church ministers are not currently doing their role in providing families spiritual and motivational guidance.” Inquiry consultations Report, Inquiry document 58 The Inquiry has already uncovered how misinterpretations of the Bible are supportive of family violence. It was acknowledged by a church minister85 that greater effort needs to be made by clergy to remedy this. In addition to a failure to preach a consistent message of non-violence and gender equality, the Inquiry found a number of other practices or failings which contribute to the continuation of family violence. They are:86    84 Church ministers being more detached from their congregations; increasing financial pressures on families; and providing disingenuous character references to perpetrators of family violence. MWCSD. (2015). Women: Matai and Leadership Survey 2015. Retrieved from http://www.mwcsd.gov.ws/images/2017/Documents/DFSD/Women-Matai-and-Leadership-Report-2015---FINAL-FINAL.pdf. 85 Evidence provided by Father Lui Sanele, Inquiry public hearings. 86 Views expressed during Inquiry public consultations.