INQUIRY FINDING 40: The Churches in Samoa are generally not offering protection to victims of family violence and often counsel them into returning to abusive relationships, placing them at risk of further harm. The primary role of the Church in addressing family violence, as envisaged by the Inquiry, is through its position within the VFSC to be established in each jurisdiction within which the faifeau will be an essential pillar. The church should also strengthen its protective capacity in dealing with family violence. The Inquiry has identified how almost one in ten women believe faifeaus are the ideal avenue for protection if they are experiencing abuse. However, it was also evident how this role is not currently being effectively undertaken, and in many cases made worse through misplaced counseling. For the church to play a positive role in protecting victims of family violence, national guidelines must be established and the capacity of church ministers increased to be able to approach family violence in a manner which protects the individual. “Relevant training needs to be provided to faifeaus if they are going to play a role.” Family Violence Workshop participant, Apia, November 2017 National guidelines on how church ministers can play a positive role in the protection against family violence should focus on three areas: 1. Training for all church ministers on the nature, causes and impacts of family violence in Samoa; 2. Laws and services available to victims, for referral purposes; and 3. Provision of emergency shelter where victims are at risk of further harm. The biggest area of concern with the current approach of many church ministers is that victims of family violence are often counseled into returning to an abusive relationship and being placed at risk of further harm. Guidelines for church ministers should expressly forbid this practice and facilitate training for ministers to enlighten them on the nature, causes and impacts of family violence in Samoa. This will broaden their understanding required to respond appropriately to victims. It cannot be expected that every church minister is going to be able to gain a qualification in counseling and provide direct and effective support to victims. However, with a broad understanding of family violence they will be able to approach victims in a non-judgmental manner, and armed with knowledge of the services and laws in Samoa, refer them to the appropriate agency. There will also be occasions where the victim is at immediate risk of further harm from the perpetrator, and the faifeau not only needs to be able to identify that risk but be able to facilitate a temporary safe haven for the victim and any possible children. This represents a very tangible role in which the church can play in protecting victims of family violence, in much the same way as the Village Fono. Two other pre-requisites for the church to effectively play a protection role exist and both relate to establishing the necessary confidence in faifeaus for victims of family violence to feel able to report the