live more privately than before. When there are problems in the family, other people are less likely to know about them, or to intervene, than in the past.” Handbook for Community Conversations, Government of Samoa, Inquiry document 116 This observation was founded on research undertaken which studied Samoan women who had moved abroad having previously lived in traditional close-knit Samoan communities. They noted that since moving overseas they had lost the protection that open-walled living afforded them and where the public nature of living naturally constrained family violence. Recall also the case of Solomona 128 where nobody could hear his screams. Solomona is not alone in having his cries go unanswered due to shifting patterns of habitation. This development has been further exacerbated by increasing urbanization. As sections of extended families begin to move to Apia the rural living environment becomes more dispersed, living arrangements become more private still and the protections further lessened. 10.4.3 Disempowerment of men and women It is also worth considering whether the late colonial period and early years of independence also contributed to family violence by substantially altering the roles within society of men and women and subsequently disempowering both groups. Previously women’s committees were at the heart of village life, holding a large degree of authority as the major focus of the public health system. 129 Furthermore, the start of this period saw the introduction of a dual system of Government, merging the traditional Village Fono system with a centralized Westminster style. Whilst the Inquiry did not find irrefutable evidence to suggest there is a direct link between this disempowerment and prevalence of family violence, research has been carried out in the region which suggests this can and does happen. “Violence against women may also be triggered by men’s perceived disempowerment in environments in which rapid social and economic structural changes impact perceptions around women’s and men’s roles and rights within the society.” ‘Why do some men use violence against women and how can we prevent it?’ Partners for Prevention, 2013, Inquiry document 75 It is easy to conceive how a sudden loss of responsibility, authority and social standing could bring about widespread social frustrations which in turn could manifest themselves in some cases in family violence. Therefore, given the understanding that this can happen and that Samoa went through such a social transformation, it should be a consideration in designing a solution framework. 128 Case Study 2. National University of Samoa. (2015). “Political representation and women’s empowerment in Samoa.” Final Report 1. Retrieved from http://samoanstudies.ws/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Centre-for-Samoan-Studies_Final-Report-Volume-1English.pdf. Document 63 Inquiry anthology. 129