deal with natural catastrophes. This capability rests on community-wide activities that are focused and ongoing under central coordination and encouragement. The idea that a similar approach which has been demonstrated to work for disaster management is therefore not at all fanciful. Indeed, upon close inspection, the DMO model addresses many of the concerns around the current failing approach to family violence:     Facilitates a multi-sectoral approach to a complex national issue; Ensures consistency of message and consistency of funding; Incorporates key decision makers from the Prime Minister down in the process; Focus on data collection, M&E. Furthermore, such an approach would build upon existing structures, plans and policies, rather than create overlap and further confusion. A DMO type approach for family violence could be easily adopted, utilizing what already exists, and using an approach which is known to work within the Samoan context. 12.4 The Office for Family Violence Prevention The DMO model is proven to be successful in Samoa in addressing a comparable issue to family violence and it is therefore relatively straight forward and logical to apply the same approach to the issue at hand. A potential platform with a high chance of success in addressing family violence could therefore be created through the following approach: 1. Establishing a Family Violence Prevention Act: with a purpose similar to ‘the prevention of family violence and protection of victims, through effective risk reduction, prevention and protection services, coordination across sectors and agencies, data collection and evaluation & monitoring’. 2. Creating a National Family Violence Prevention Council: an appropriate council consisting of Cabinet Members and others such as traditional and community leaders, religious leaders, private sector and NGO representatives as Cabinet may decide (ensuring gender equality on the council).3 3. Stop Violence Taskforce: consisting of relevant ministry chief executive officers responsible for approving Family Violence Prevention Office plans. This taskforce is already in existence so would be building upon existing structures. 4. Samoa Office for Family Violence Prevention: established within MWCSD this would have a permanent staffing budgetary allocation, headed by an ACEO, reporting to the CEO. The Office would be responsible for the overall implementation of the National Family Safety Strategy, coordinating agency responses and activities, implement and participate in activities, facilitating training for key actors, awareness raising, data collection and M&E. 5. National Family Violence Prevention Strategy: Provided for by the Family Violence Prevention Act and will incorporate all commitments under the existing sector plans, the Samoa Development Goals, Inquiry recommendations and drafted in consultation with key stakeholders including survivors of family violence from all demographics. 3 The Council will be responsible for giving advice and decision making. The Taskforce will mainly be responsible for strengthening of partnership and coordination of activities.