6. National Family Violence Prevention Communication Strategy: Aimed at improving understanding
of the nature, causes and triggers of family violence, nationally and among key stakeholders.
Based on Inquiry findings and myths and developed in collaboration with victims, perpetrators
and young people.
Such an approach would not only build upon the existing structures, plans and policies, meaning it would
not be ‘recreating the wheel’, but would also be able to draw upon frameworks for family violence
prevention developed within the region and for small and middle income countries.
A Family Violence Prevention Office should also draw upon the following resources to ensure it is adopting
the necessary comprehensive approach:
‘Framework for Essential Services Package’, pp. 11-12 of Essential Services for Women and Girls
Subject to Violence, Partners for Prevention, (UN Women, UNFPA, WHO, UNDP & UNODC), 2015.
‘Recommendations and Entry Points for Change’, pp. 98-101 of Why do some men use violence
against women and how can we prevent it?, Partners for Prevention, 2013.
In summary, it is quite clear to the Inquiry that the establishment of a national framework for family
violence prevention is essential in effectively preventing violence and that any associated costs should be
more than recovered through a year on year reduction of violence. The establishment of such a framework
is therefore the Inquiry’s first recommendation and the basis for all subsequent recommendations.4
12.5 ‘National Zero Tolerance of Violence’
The inter-connected nature of family violence and the cycle of violence mean that all forms of violence
lead to increases elsewhere in society at a later stage. If violence is acceptable in one context it will
permeate into other areas of society, just as it has done over time in Samoa. The only solution is for a
complete rejection of family violence and the key message of the Family Violence Prevention Office should
be one of zero tolerance. The prevalence of violence has been found to be closely linked to the implicit
endorsement it is given by Government, Village Fonos, the Church, parents and by most people in
everyday life and to effectively address the epidemic this message must change. Perpetrators, instead of
knowing they will never be held to account, must fear that they will be caught and have to face the
consequences, no matter whether they are a Cabinet Minister, a matai, faifeau, father, mother in law or
were subject to violence themselves.
RECOMMENDATION 1: By legislation, establish a Family Violence Prevention
Office, National Family Violence Prevention Strategy and Communications
Strategy, Family Violence Prevention Council and Taskforce to provide the
foundation for a coordinated inter-agency response to family violence.
• Development of a National Family Violence Prevention Strategy, founded
on the principles of Fa’asamoa, human rights and Faith.
4
Subsequent recommendations could be implemented without the establishment of a Family Violence Prevention Office but
would stand less chance of success as the inter-agency coordination, sustainability of approach, consistency of message and
strong focus on data collection and evaluation & monitoring would be harder to achieve.
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