6. The Samoan Context 6.1 An overview of family violence in Samoa “Family Violence is a national crisis issue; it is complex given its cross-cutting nature, widespread and remains shrouded in a culture of silence and acceptance as normal.” MWCSD, written submission, Inquiry document 1 “There is an epidemic of violence in our society. Far too many lives have been lost and serious injuries caused.” Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren, Inquiry document 49 Twenty years ago family violence was not talked of publicly. Even five years ago it was not as common to talk about as it is today. Reverend Taumafai Komiti of the Methodist church highlighted to the Inquiry, “I think we need to acknowledge that we have come a long way – the awareness is starting to be there”.6 The Commissioners agree that Samoa has indeed come a long way in terms of being able to speak about family violence where it was previously not possible and this has shone a light on how widespread the problem is. In the first comprehensive Family Health and Safety Study 2000 (SFHSS 2000) carried out by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and partners, it was found that 46% of women had experienced domestic violence in their lifetime.7 When the study was carried out again by the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development (MWCSD) in 2017 (Samoa Family Safety Study (SFSS 2017)) this figure was found to be 60%. 8 In the survey carried out by the NHRI as part of this Inquiry, 87% of respondents within the family setting had experienced threats of violence and 86% had been subject to kicking, punching or other assaults. A shocking 9.5% of female respondents reported to have been raped by a family member in their lifetime,9 almost one in ten. Data collection on family violence is still in its infancy and so it is difficult to accurately conclude how prevalent family violence is in Samoa. However, the majority of the populations are in one way or another affected by family violence. Furthermore, it appears to be escalating in terms of prevalence and seriousness. Throughout the Inquiry and the drafting of this Report barely a day passed without another story of family violence of worsening proportions being reported by the media. On the day this section was drafted a husband attacked his wife with a machete in broad daylight in Apia.10 The prevalence of family violence is such that it is spilling out onto the streets and no-one should be in any 6 Statement made to Inquiry during public hearings. SPC and UNFPA. (2006). Samoa Family Health and Safety Study 2000. Document 83 Inquiry anthology, accessible at www.ombudsman.gov.ws. 8 Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development. (2017). Samoa Family Safety Study. Document 46 Inquiry anthology, accessible at www.ombudsman.gov.ws. 9 For more information refer to “Stakeholder Consultations Report.” Document 58 Inquiry anthology, accessible at www.ombudsman.gov.ws. 10 See “Stabbing horror in Apia.” Samoa Observer. (18 January 2018). Document 113 Inquiry anthology, accessible at www.ombudsman.gov.ws. 7