“In explaining the significance of the feagaiga, female participants drew on historical references to reflect how the feagaiga has changed over time. They described how in pre-colonial times, women held significant status and authority in the village. With the arrival of Christian missionaries that status was bestowed on the missionaries and later Samoan ministers of the church. Participants felt that their status as feagaiga was diminished by the bestowal of a feagaiga status to the church. The perceived loss of status was interpreted by some as a risk factor for violence.” ‘Primary prevention of violence against women and girls’, Inquiry document 91 The claim is that sharing of the “feagaiga” pedestal with faifeaus has detracted from the unique status women enjoyed in the culture and has reduced the protection afforded to women and girls. At any rate, one of the primary protection mechanisms against family violence, contained within the Fa’asamoa – the vā tapuia, has been eroded and this is a further reason why in today’s society violence is thriving. It is not because of the Fa’asamoa, it is because of the absence of the Fa’asamoa. Whether the churches have stepped in to fill this void will be discussed below. The vā tapuia also plays a central role in creating the veil of silence around family violence that allows it to prosper. No one wants others to know of violence that may have occurred because it reflects a breakdown of the vā tapuia within that family unit. This dynamic is the primary reason why family violence is commonly viewed as a private matter and great lengths are gone to in order to maintain the illusion that the vā tapuia has not been breached. However, in doing so the veil of silence and shame is created, behind which perpetrators of violence can continue with impunity. 7.3.3 Family violence as a shameful and a private matter “Abuse thrives because of shame, secrecy and silence. The more we shed light on this issue, the harder it is for abusers to hide. It is easier for perpetrators to abuse and rape when they can trust that their victims will not tell.” Lani Wendt Young, Inquiry public hearings Silence and shame go hand in hand when it comes to family violence. Silence is required so as not to advertise a breach in the vā tapuia within the family unit and to ensure this from the victim they are often shamed into not talking. Therefore, the honour and reputation of the family is kept intact. The social stigma around family violence, the shame it can confer upon a particular family and the lengths to which society is prepared to accept to avoid this shame is a major (if not the primary) factor in the creation of a veil of silence behind which family violence operates. “One of the most beautiful parts of our culture is our sense of obligation and devotion to our families. Protecting and honouring the family name, maintaining harmony are essential.” Samoa Planet, Inquiry document 45