Case Study 2: Solomona’s* story of endless violence 3 Solomona is the eldest boy of ten children living inland Upolu, away from where most of his village lived. His mother died when he was 11 years old and in the two years after, his father would always be angry and beat him up if he was slow doing his chores. Solomona used to be beaten mostly by a stick or a piece of wood but was always especially scared when his dad would use a steel chain, the kind used to keep dogs restrained. He used to scream for help but no-one answered his calls. One day he ran away and was eventually brought to one of the NGOs in Apia. He has not been able to forget the pain and suffering. *Names changed to protect the identities of those involved Solomona was just an 11 year old child, who should have been enjoying his childhood surrounded with alofa and given his right to play and explore the world around him under the guidance of his father. Both human rights, the Fa’asamoa and the Bible all talk about the best interests of the child and their spiritual guidance as being the responsibility of their parents or guardians. “O au o matua fanau.” (Children are the ‘core’ of their parents). Samoan expression One of the notable features of Solomona’s story is that nobody heard his continued pain. When villages are no longer the tight knit communities they once were, it removes one of the traditional protection mechanisms of Samoa – that of your neighbours. Children are unlikely to report violence but neighbours may intervene if they can hear it. If they cannot hear it, the child may remain helpless, like Solomona was for two years. The Inquiry found physical or verbal discipline / violence to ensure obedience and retain power and control. 3 out of 4 caregivers in Samoa indicated that they had assaulted children in the name of ‘discipline’ within the past year.4 This indicates that the majority of people who overstep the line have children in their care on a regular basis. 3 Samoa Victim Support Group oral submission to the Inquiry. Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development. (2017). Samoa Family Safety Study. Document 46 in Inquiry anthology, accessible at www.ombudsman.gov.ws. 4