SAMOA | Family violence report released

The National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), part of the Office of the Ombudsman of Samoa, has completed its public inquiry into family violence, its first national inquiry.

Headed by Samoan Ombudsman Maiava Iulai Toma, the inquiry commissioners began work on the report in late 2016, and it was publicly released in September 2018.

The report makes for challenging reading as seen in this excerpt:

Family violence sits behind a veil of silence so it was necessary to lift this veil and create a national conversation – to hear the stories of those from every corner of our country to fully understand the problem, and to ask our people what they think the solution should be.

More than 1,800 people, representing churches, villages, specialists, and individuals including survivors, took part in the inquiry. As the report states:

This Inquiry would not have been possible without the bravery of the many survivors of family violence who spoke with us, shared their stories and bared their souls in the hope and belief that in coming forward it will prevent others like them suffering in the future.

The report made 39 recommendations covering everything from technology to the media, gender equality, and the role of the church. However, the Ombudsman says there is light at the end of the tunnel:

(There is) also hope and optimism, arising from the practical solutions which have been put forward and a realisation of how our culture, faith, and human rights can help us in addressing the social ill that is family violence.

A summary of the report can be found further down below, while the full report is available HERE.

Source: Waka Tangata: APOR E-news