•
•
People are becoming so accustomed to violence that slapping, kicking, punching, swearing at or threatening is now instinctive for many
and considered not serious or to fall within the definition of violence;
Family violence is killing people and tearing families apart.
INQUIRY FINDING 4: Violence against specific groups such as persons with disabilities, the elderly, fa’afafine and SOGISC persons are poorly
understood. Anecdotal evidence suggests that rates may be high and specific responses are required for these groups.
INQUIRY FINDING 6: The impact of family violence further increase the risk a person will become a perpetrator or victim of violence in the
future.
INQUIRY FINDING 7: The economic cost of family violence is likely to be at least ST$98m - $132m per year (6 – 7% of Samoa’s GDP).
INQUIRY FINDING 8: Family violence constitutes widespread violations of the Fa’asamoa, Faith and human rights.
INQUIRY FINDING 9: Fa’asamoa, Faith and human rights have the same roots, values and principles. They all offer different ways in which to
protect the shared ideal and strengthening one results in the strengthening of the others.
INQUIRY FINDING 28: The Governments lack of commitment and approach through inadequate allocation of resources, support and lack of
coordination sends to people a message that gender inequality and family violence is acceptable.
INQUIRY FINDING 50: Due to the cyclical nature of family violence the only way to address it and reduce prevalence is to foster a zero
tolerance approach to all forms of violence across society.
RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMENDATION 1: By
legislation, establish a Family
Violence Prevention Office,
National Family Violence
Prevention Strategy and
Communications Strategy, Family
Violence Prevention Council and
ACTION OUTCOME
• Conduct consultations in the establishment of
the Family Violence Prevention Office.
• Develop legislation to establish Family Violence
Prevention Office.
• Develop a National Family Violence Prevention
Strategy, founded on the principles of
Fa’asamoa, human rights and Faith.
IMPLEMENTATION/
RESPONSIBLE AGENCY
MWCSD
OAG
NHRI
MJCA
Samoa Law and Justice
Sector
SLRC
TIMEFRAME
Progressive
attention