SVSG reports 15 cases of gender based violence during 16 Days of Activism

APIA, SAMOA – 15 DECEMBER 2022: The Samoa Victim Support Group case management database 2022, recorded a total of 15 cases of gender based violence lodged with the Group during the 16 Days of Activism this year. This is compared to 18 cases recorded for the same time in 2021.

While the 16 Days of Activism Campaign for 2022 is over, the advocacy work of human rights activists around the world continues.

Frontline activist in the gender-based violence space in Samoa, the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) therefore acknowledges with appreciation the valuable contribution from its community support network, in advancing progress being made on eliminating violence against women and girls.

“There is no doubt that violence, in all its different forms and ugliness will continue to challenge our daily lives.  But as a proactive frontline service provider, SVSG is empowering its community support network to recognize the importance of addressing harmful gender norms, attitudes and beliefs for preventing violence against women,” said SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang.

“From the government, church, and village leaders, to the school principals, teachers and young boys, untitled men’s groups and Nofotane women’s group, church youth groups and village youth groups to the child vendors and their families, we, as a community, are changing the narrative by being engaged, by being involved, by making violence against women and girls our business, rather than a private matter.”

SVSG village representatives who have completed the gender responsive training in their role as the alert system for the SVSG Helpline, as part of the Samoa Gender Partnership Program of the Tautua initiative.

Siliniu also encourages the public to report cases. “Even picking up the phone and contacting us on the Helpline, when you witness or hear of a violent situation, is progress worth acknowledging.  Because small changes built bigger ones.”

For 16 days from 25 November to 10 December 2022, SVSG had been engaged in empowerment programs for its community support network, and celebrated progress being made through:

• 15 SVSG village representatives who have completed a basic counselling training with APTC;
• 20 girl survivors of sexual abuse under the Sisters of Hope banner, who went public with their stories to encourage other young girls suffered in silence to speak up;
• 30 SVSG village representatives who have completed the gender responsive training in their role as the alert system for the SVSG Helpline, as part of the Samoa Gender Partnership Program of the Tautua initiative;
• 40 retired women who participated in a Focused Group Discussion as part of a Survey of Older Women’s Employment Prospects in the Pacific region, specifically Samoa, Fiji and the Marshall Islands;
• 45 child vendors remained in school up until the last day of school this year, as part of the Government of Samoa and SVSG program to eliminate violence through addressing education and poverty alleviation;
• 50 male leaders and young boys, speaking truth to power through a multi-media program that promotes the ‘Men and Boys Engage’ program to eliminate violence against women;
• 180 men and women of Faleasiu who completed the Samoa Village Health survey as part of the EVE Project with the University College of London.

All these progress have been achieved inclusive of people with disabilities and gender diversity.

40 retired women who participated in a Focused Group Discussion as part of a Survey of Older Women’s Employment Prospects in the Pacific region, specifically Samoa, Fiji and the Marshall Island.

SVSG Statistics 2022
According to the SVSG’s case management database 2022, a total of 15 cases of gender based violence were lodged with the Group during the 16 Days of Activsim this year, compared to 18 cases recorded for the same time in 2021.

A total of 32 children were involved in violent situations (2 as victims of physical and sexual abuse) and 30 children indirectly affected as witnesses of violence experienced by their mothers or fathers.