relating to family violence in Samoa and the impact they have. Two common misconceptions, to begin the myth-busting process: Myth 1: Alcohol and Drugs cause family violence Reality: Alcohol and drugs are not present in the vast majority of family violence incidents reported to the police in Samoa. Furthermore, many people consume alcohol and drugs without going on to commit violence. The reality is that alcohol and drug abuse can sometimes trigger violence by altering inhibitions and decreasing patience and tolerance levels, but it is not the root cause of that violence. Myth 2: Family violence is caused by anger Reality: Anger is either a tool perpetrators use to scare their victim into submission or a trigger of family violence, it is not a cause of the violence itself. This is evident by when a perpetrator is committing a violent act they can easily pause if someone knocks at the door or the phone rings and not every person who angers the perpetrator is abused. Perpetrators are often in control of their actions, and not consumed by anger, to the point they can ensure any physical violence is carried out on parts of the body that are less likely to be visible to others. In other situations anger can trigger the underlying causes of family violence and therefore those people who struggle to contain their anger may be more at risk of perpetrating such violent acts. Overall, due to the complex nature of family violence and its causes and triggers, effective responses usually require a coordinated centralized approach. Therefore, rather than rely on external research to draw conclusions on the causes and triggers of family violence in Samoa, the Inquiry will instead restrict its use and focus on country-specific data, first hand research and evidence obtained in the course of the Inquiry to support its findings and recommendations. “Though stakeholders in many countries are working to eliminate violence against children, their efforts are not always well coordinated and supported and few are undertaken at a large scale. Coordination mechanisms are therefore essential, as no single sector can deliver the full package of interventions.” INSPIRE: 7 Strategies for Ending Violence Against Children, World Health Organisation, Inquiry document 48