Throughout this report we have made some shocking revelations in relation to just how widespread and serious the problem we are facing is. Widespread sexual abuse of our children by those who are supposed to care for them. Husbands subjecting their wives to years of mental and physical torture and abuse. Multiple suicides arising from the words that come out of our mouths. This is not the Fa’asamoa I know. This is not the Christian nation we profess to be. This is a violation of our collective and individual rights. What we are experiencing in Samoa is happening because too many of us are standing by and allowing family violence to flourish, taking cover in the shadows. Those in power, who ought to know better, are silent. Those who perpetuate violence have been allowed to act with impunity for far too long. Those who endure violence have not been heard loudly enough. The voices the Inquiry has heard show that the impact on victims of family violence is completely unacceptable. We are living in a country where the majority of women and children have to endure serious physical and mental violence and the long-term consequences of that abuse. Rape is widespread, our children grow up being abused and feeling unloved, those who are being hurt are denied the fa’asinomaga and any hope of amiotonu. The Fa’asamoa is being grossly violated in this manner and even being used to justify its continuation. The same applies for our religious values. The Commissioners of this Inquiry therefore call upon all of our Parliamentarians, all of our traditional and religious leaders, to acknowledge the widespread pain and suffering in which they are directly complicit. The blame is not entirely theirs, we all have responsibility and the seeds have been sown for generations past. However, it is up to the current administration and those in other positions of power to stand up and be counted. To demonstrate their loyalty to the Fa’asamoa and Christian values upon which this country has been built. The human rights framework creates an obligation of due diligence that the State is currently a long way from meeting. We urge the implementation of this framework in accordance with the Constitution, the Fa’asamoa and the Bible to effectively prevent and protect against family violence. Enough is enough. It is time for us all to come together and for the sake of our future generations and say:

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