INQUIRY FINDING 9: Fa’asamoa, Faith and human rights have the same roots, values and principles. They all offer different ways in which to protect the shared ideal and strengthening one results in the strengthening of the others. INQUIRY FINDING 28: The Governments lack of commitment and approach through inadequate allocation of resources, support and lack of coordination sends to people a message that gender inequality and family violence is acceptable. INQUIRY FINDING 50: Due to the cyclical nature of family violence the only way to address it and reduce prevalence is to foster a zero tolerance approach to all forms of violence across society. Inquiry findings 1-4, 6-9, 28 and 50 paint a clear picture of the sheer scale of the problem that family violence constitutes in Samoa. Moreover, its causes and impacts, how it violates the Fa’asamoa, Faith and human rights, and the cost to Samoa’s economy. The broad picture is an epidemic of violence driven by a range of inter-connected causes and triggers, with an equally extensive range of consequences for victims and perpetrators. Before considering in detail the causes, contributing factors and triggers of family violence, identified by the Inquiry a broader question around how any proposed solution would be delivered is first necessary to consider. The Government is the primary body responsible for addressing the issue but has found to be wanting. The majority of people in Samoa live in rural areas and this is where change has to be effective for it to be lasting. The Village Fono and churches are other bodies responsible for ensuring social cohesion and harmony, peace and security etc., but they too have been found inadequate. Empowering and gaining the commitment of these institutions is therefore critical to ensuring the delivery of the full range of Inquiry recommendations. 12.1 Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development Despite being tasked as the main agency to address family violence MWCSD is under no illusions as to the nature of the task and its inability to meet that responsibility. “Family Violence is a national crisis issue; it is complex given its cross cutting nature, widespread and remains shrouded in a culture of silence and acceptance as normal.” “Our legal mandate does not provide us with the necessary legal provisions or resources to be able to respond to domestic violence fully.” MWCSD submission, Inquiry document 1