SVSG’s Help Line becoming a preventative tool for domestic violence

Apia, Samoa – 11 January 2024: The President of the Samoa Victim Support Group, Siliniu Lina Chang says its Helpline service established in 2013, is now becoming more of a Response mechanism to incidents of domestic violence.

The statistics and calls received through the SVSG Helpline during the festive season shows that people are more aware of the support services, and are now using the Helpline as a Preventative tool to address domestic violence.

A SVSG statement said “calling up for counselling have helped the callers in dealing with family/domestic violence situations hence, prevent incidents of violence. The 70% of the callers to the Helpline during the holidays season attest to this behavioural and mentality change in our community towards violence. This is a good start to the year.”

Close to 100 calls through the Helpline were received during the Christmas and New Years holiday period, from 23 December 2023 to 3 January 2024.

An analysis of the calls identified 30% were for domestic violence incidents, either from victims of violence themselves, of referred from the National Health Services, SVSG village representatives in the community and concerned neighbours.

70% were calls from the community, seeking counselling assistance and advice on general matters, such as broken families due to separation because of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, village matters pertaining to title bestowment, spouses anticipating violence as their partners were out partying during the holidays and many others.

Through the Helpline service, abused women were relocated from their husbands families to their own families, while the couples sorted out their differences; abused children were also brought under SVSG’s shelter care through working in partnership with the Ministry of Police.

SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang acknowledged the co-sponsorship from Digicel Samoa and Vodafone Samoa for ten years now, which has enabled people to call the Helpline free of charge.  And by doing so, they were able to access support during violence situations, and have the ability to prevent violence from happening through being informed.

The President also acknowledged the Taskforce with the Ministry of Police and the timely referrals from the National Health Services of domestic violence cases during the holiday season.

“The SVSG Board, the extended SVSG family and partners, look towards 2024 to continue with its vision of caring for children, supporting victims and uplifting the vulnerable,” said Siliniu.