The submission made to the Inquiry by MWCSD validates Inquiry finding 28 and it is commendable that the Ministry is honest in acknowledging its own shortcomings. This is not altogether surprising as there are evidently many civil servants who, through their work, have great insights into the nature and prevalence of family violence and are frustrated by the lack of resources and support by the political powers to make a difference. One of the most common observations to the Inquiry was that the sheer scale of family violence and the many causes and triggers meant that if there was no overall coordinating body any efforts would be destined to fail as they could not possibly address the whole issue effectively. The calls for such an approach were consistent across NGOs, advocates and Government ministries themselves. “My one recommendation is to have a ‘nation-wide strategy, a holistic approach to addressing violence in the homes.” Tuiloma Sina Retzlaff, survivor and family violence advocate, Inquiry public hearings “A multi-sectoral approach should be designed.” MWCSD, Samoa National Policy for Gender Equality 2016-20, Inquiry document 43 “A multi-level and multi-sectoral approach involving all key stakeholders is required to address a SERIOUS and WIDESPREAD problem.” Young Women’s Christian Association, Inquiry submission, Inquiry document 28 12.2 Benefits of a comprehensive national approach There is great value in the widely made suggestion of a comprehensive national approach, led by Government, and that such an initiative would provide the necessary platform for addressing many of the root causes, barriers and difficulties encountered using the current ad hoc and under-funded approach. A Government driven family violence initiative would provide the financial stability necessary to ensure efficiency, continuity and remove some of the risks under the current approach. It would achieve efficiency through the yearly allocation of funding from the Government budget, meaning 100% of resources could be allocated to addressing the problem at hand, rather than spending valuable time and energy fundraising. Continuity would be guaranteed in the same manner – whereas funding for NGOs can come and go over time, the Government budget is relatively stable. Finally, guaranteed funding would mean the elimination of competition between NGOs, which can lead to services being funding driven. It would also send a strong message to the nation that the Government is no longer willing to be complicit in the prevalence of family violence and usher in a new era of zero tolerance. One of the biggest hurdles in addressing family violence at this point in time is the need for widespread education on the causes, impacts and solutions. A national approach would ensure the necessary consistency of messaging the absence of which would lead to a continuation of the current misunderstandings.