Samoa benefits from having one of, if not the strongest, SBS among the Pacific islands. The statistical capacity of this nation is therefore a key asset in the fight against family violence yet it is currently being under-utilised. SBS should be a key actor in the development of an M & E framework for the Family Violence Prevention Strategy and associated activities. The UN CEDAW Committee provides clear guidance on what is required in terms of data collection in order to effectively address violence and includes:43  Evaluation of all legislation, policies and programmes in consultation with civil society organisations (particularly women’s organisations) Establish a system to regularly collect, analyse and publish statistical and disaggregated data on violence, including specifically on: o Number of protection orders served; o Rates of dismissal and withdrawal; o Prosecution and conviction rates; All data should be disaggregated by type of violence, relationship between victim/perpetrator, other socio-demographic characteristics such as age, income bracket, and in relation to other intersecting forms of discrimination; Analysis of data to identify protection failures and successes; Undertake surveys and research to continuously assess the prevalence and causes of violence.     Samoa is not alone in having inadequate data collection and M&E processes in place in relation to family violence. There is a significant lack of studies within low and middle income countries with just 6% of all studies globally on child violence between 2007-2013 being from those demographics.44 This represents an excellent opportunity for Samoa to attract funding for family violence programmes that have a strong data collection and M&E component. It is an opportunity which should be immediately capitalized on given “the tremendous promise the field holds in reducing rates of violence, addressing inequalities, improving economic empowerment and sustainable economic growth.”45 Samoa can therefore not only address its own family violence prevalence but also become a role model globally in the process. RECOMMENDATION 22: Establish data collection and Monitoring and Evaluation at the heart of all family violence prevention work in Samoa   43 Centralised data collection system across ministries and NGO service providers. Data to be disaggregated by sex, gender, age, disability, geographical area, type of violence suffered, social/ economic status etc. Refer to UN CEDAW Committee (2017). General Recommendation No.35 on gender-based violence, updating General Recommendation 19. CEDAW/C/GC/35. Document 103 Inquiry anthology, accessible at www.ombudsman.gov.ws. 44 World Health Organisation. (2016). INSPIRE: Seven Strategies for Ending Violence Against Children. Document 48 Inquiry anthology. 45 World Health Organisation. (2016). INSPIRE: Seven Strategies for Ending Violence Against Children. Document 48 Inquiry anthology.