discussions and to bring down the veil of silence which prevents understanding and reporting that allows violence to continue unabated. Sisilia58 was not given any of these tools to speak out about the abuse her older cousin inflicted upon her and so it continued. It continues for hundreds of children (and adults) today because they do not understand what healthy relationships are, or how to identify and report abuse if it happens. Sisilia was only able to escape her suffering because of a chance viewing of an advert on TV. “I was empowered to tell someone because of a grainy (old/unclear) TV ad from Pago. Without that it may have progressed to rape.” Sisilia written submission, Inquiry public hearings The opportunity to break the cycle of violence should not be left to chance and whilst Sisilia was fortunate to have seen the advert before her abuse got worse. For others this does not happen and they remain trapped. It also highlights how simple and straightforward breaking the cycle can be if given the right knowledge. That knowledge should be given to all children as a matter of course and urgency. INQUIRY FINDING 22: The absence of sexual education and healthy relationships in the school curriculum and the guidance provided to teachers around gender and sexual violence reinforces gender stereotypes and increases vulnerability of children to sexual violence. 8.1.2 Corporal Punishment in Schools Whilst not strictly within the ToR of the Inquiry, the issue of corporal punishment is nonetheless relevant. This is because of the inter-connected nature of family violence and due to recent calls for its reintroduction in Samoa, following its prohibition in 2013. The Inquiry welcomes the recent reversal of the consideration by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture (MESC) to do just that following intervention from the MoP and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). “After receiving the legal opinion from the Attorney-General’s Office and a warning by the Ministry of Police that assault is assault, we have had to rethink our strategy.”59 Hon. Loau Keneti Sio, Minister for Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture 58 Case Study 7. As reported by the Samoa Observer. “Government rethinks corporal punishment.” (27 February 2018). Retrieved from www.samoaobserver.ws/en/28_02_2018/local/30541/Govt-rethinks-corporal-punishment.htm. 59