National Inquiry into Family Violence

Brief Description

The National Human Rights Institute (NHRI) under the Office of the Ombudsman conducted a National Inquiry into family violence over the two years (2016-2018) and the report was released in October 2018. This NHRI inquiry was the first of its kind in Samoa and the Pacific Region. It provided a platform for public discussions of violence at all levels. The inquiry findings reaffirmed calls for more proactive leadership by village councils and village leaders, church leaders, and government agencies to reduce the prevalence and improve our responses to gender-based violence. The inquiry also highlighted that the principles contained within the Samoan culture (fa’asamoa) faith and human rights are complementary and are central to addressing the elimination of violence in families.