In 2016, as the rape continued, Tasi married in the hope that this would stop the treatment at the hands of her father. It did not and the father again raped her while her husband was at work. This, however, led to a family meeting where the behaviour was uncovered and eventually reported to the police. *Names changed to protect the identities of those involved. One defining feature of Lani’s story, and many others like her, is the shame that she felt and how that prolonged her pain and suffering, delaying the moment when she was able to emerge from being a victim to being a survivor. Moreover, Sisilia’s experience is not uncommon and the Inquiry heard and read numerous cases where a family member sexually abused their relative. In fact, many perpetrators described to the Inquiry had no distinctive features and what were otherwise being considered ordinary people. Similarly, Tasi is like many girls and women in Samoa who have to endure horrific acts of sexual violence, often at the hands of those they should be able to trust the most. The Samoan Constitution provides for the freedom from inhuman treatment, a well-established human rights standard. Furthermore, the CRC provides for children to be free from all forms of violence including sexual abuse, neglect and mistreatment. 13 The Fa’asamoa takes equally strong measures to protect against this form of abuse through the construct of the vā tapuia and the feāgaiga. The stories above highlight how these women (during their childhood) were not afforded these rights and protections under the Constitution, human rights and the Fa’asamoa. The families of these women have failed them, like the families of others in similar situations. Not only is the family failing people like Tasi, Lani and Sislia, but also the Fa’asamoa, their community, their Government, their Village Fono and their churches are failing these women. This is because these women’s suffering and the suffering of others like them are now well-known and yet no meaningful action is taken. There is no longer any excuse for not wanting to truly understand the true nature and root causes of family violence as a means of preventing further children having to suffer these types of violence. One of the myths around sexual assault is highlighted by the above experiences. Myths 3: Abusers are often strangers, or terrible monsters and only adults abuse children Reality: The Inquiry has heard multiple stories where the perpetrator of sexual violence against a child is a close family member. Other common perpetrators included teachers, pastors, neighbours or friends. Neither was there any upper or lower age limit of those carrying out the crimes, in keeping with research and studies undertaken in countries worldwide. 13 See Articles 19, 37 and 39 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.