Many of the survivors of family violence who spoke to the Inquiry identified their need for effective counseling. As one witness remarked, ‘it never really leaves you’. The lack of professional standards for counseling and Governmental services has left a void which is often filled by NGOs or religious bodies. Whilst admirable, counseling is an extremely sensitive, skilled profession with the potential for causing much greater harm. “We need qualified counselors to do the job. It can be really deadly if you are doing counseling and doing it in the wrong way. If the way you unpick a situation is wrong it can have deadly consequences.” Luagalau Foisagaasina Eteuati-Shon, Matai, Counsellor, Former CEO MWCSD, Inquiry public hearings Victims and perpetrators require specialist care and counseling in order to avoid further harm and to begin to address the root causes of their suffering or deviances. Through a failure to provide for professional standards or qualified counselors, the Government is creating an environment where well-meaning but unqualified counselors can potentially do more harm than good. This will further allow the cycle of violence within society to continue. INQUIRY FINDING 34: The State is responsible for widespread human rights violations in failing to provide adequate services, support and prevention in relation to family violence, and in so doing implicitly endorses its continuation. 9.2.1 Police The Police are essential in the fight against family violence in any country as they are the first responders to victims of family violence. It is important to acknowledge that MoP has demonstrably taken measures to combat family violence and shape the awareness of officers in dealing with family violence issues. This has been done over the years through among others, the establishment of the DVU, the White Ribbon Day, neighborhood watch, community awareness programmes and sensitivity workshops and trainings for officers.95 Despite these positive efforts, more is still needed to be done. This is evident in the SFSS 2017 where only 18% of victims of family violence who participated chose the Police as the institution to report to. When factoring in the number of cases of violence which go unreported, only 2% of all family violence is reported to the police. This is in stark contrast to 67% who feel that the Police should be the primary response agency.96 The Inquiry heard many reasons that inhibit victims of family violence to report. 95 MoP submissions to the Inquiry. See also Samoa Observer. “Police tackle violence.” (20 December 2015). Retrieved from http://www.samoaobserver.ws/en/20_12_2015/local/472/Police-tackle-violence.htm; and Samoa Planet. “Leading the frontline response to domestic violence.” (6 February 2018). Retrieved from http://www.samoaplanet.com/leading-frontlineresponse-domestic-violence-samoa/. 96 Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development. (2017). Samoa Family Safety Study. Document 46 in Inquiry anthology, accessible at www.ombudsman.gov.ws.