KEY:
Urgent attention
Immediate attention
Progressive attention
within 1-2 year from release1 of Report by the Office
within 2-3 years from endorsement of Report by Parliament
within 3-5 years from endorsement of Report by Parliament
INQUIRY FINDING 1: Family violence is a complex social problem where causes, triggers and consequences are inter-connected. It requires a
nationally coordinated approach to prevention and protection. Within the Samoa context, such a national approach should be driven by the
Fa’asamoa, Faith and human rights framework.
INQUIRY FINDING 2: Physical, harsh verbal discipline/violence and sexual violence towards children has reached epidemic levels.
• 9 out of 10 children in Samoa experience violence in their lifetime;
• Physical discipline/violence is often extreme in nature, going way beyond what is ‘reasonable punishment’ under Samoan law;
• Sexual abuse of children and incest levels have reached ‘epidemic’ proportions in Samoa.
INQUIRY FINDING 3: Family Violence is affecting almost all families in Samoa, with extremely high numbers of people experiencing extreme
violence in their lifetime:
• Almost 9 in 10 people have experienced physical or emotional violence within the family in their lifetime;
• The majority of women (6 out of 10) experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime;
• Violence at the hands of a non-partner is almost as prevalent as intimate partner violence;
• Up to 1 in 5 women are raped in their lifetime;
1
Release refers to the date the Report was officially launch i.e. 12 September 2018.