INQUIRY FINDING 2: Physical, harsh verbal discipline/violence and sexual violence towards children has reached epidemic levels. • • • 9 out of 10 children in Samoa experience violence in their lifetime Physical discipline/violence is often extreme in nature, going way beyond what is ‘reasonable punishment’ under Samoan law Sexual abuse of children and incest levels have reached ‘epidemic’ proportions in Samoa INQUIRY FINDING 3: Family Violence is affecting almost all families in Samoa, with extremely high numbers of people experiencing extreme violence in their lifetime: • • • • • • Almost 9 in 10 people have experienced physical or emotional violence within the family in their lifetime; The majority of women (6 out of 10) experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime; Violence at the hands of a non-partner is almost as prevalent as intimate partner violence; Up to 1 in 5 women are raped in their lifetime; People are becoming so accustomed to violence that slapping, kicking, punching, swearing at or threatening is now instinctive for many and considered not serious or to fall within the definition of violence; Family violence is killing people and tearing families apart. INQUIRY FINDING 4: Violence against specific groups such as persons with disabilities, the elderly, fa’afafine and SOGISC persons are poorly understood. Anecdotal evidence suggests that rates may be high and specific responses are required for these groups. INQUIRY FINDING 6: The impact of family violence further increase the risk a person will become a perpetrator or victim of violence in the future. INQUIRY FINDING 7: The economic cost of family violence is likely to be at least ST$98m - $132m per year (6 – 7% of Samoa’s GDP). INQUIRY FINDING 8: Family violence constitutes widespread violations of the Fa’asamoa, Faith and human rights.