‘OU TE LĒ ALO I LE ATA O LE LA’AU’ – I will not hide in the shadow of the tree. There have also been shocking revelations around the root causes, challenging some of our commonly held practices and ideas. The proposed solutions may therefore seem drastic but they have been carefully designed to address every aspect of the causes and triggers, using our cultural, religious and human rights values as their foundation. Cost is no barrier to enacting the recommendations in this report. They will pay for themselves over time, such is the drain on our economy family violence causes. It is not just a drain on our resources but a drain on our moral compass and values. We are losing our Fa’asamoa, our religious values to family violence. We need to take meaningful action before it is too late. The positive news is that the solution is within our grasp. It will require a change of mindset and a national commitment to zero tolerance of violence from here on. It will take time and will not happen overnight. But in implementing the recommendations within this report we will not only be taking the necessary steps to rid ourselves of this evil but we will be reaffirming our Faith and the Fa’asamoa. For too long, the values we cherish the most have been undermined and misused. Through effectively addressing family violence we can reclaim and strengthen our social fabric for future generations to know, enjoy and benefit from. In doing so we will show the world what can be achieved with a combination of cultural and religious values strengthened by the international human rights framework. The time is now Samoa. I stand with you. My fellow commissioners stand with you, as do my staff. Let us step out of these dark shadows together and not look back. Maiava Iulai Toma