Community-Based Prevention of Violence through Culture, Faith, Services and Women’s Empowerment
Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG), with support from the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women (UNTF), is implementing a community-based project aimed at preventing violence against women and children and strengthening the capacity of families and communities to respond to violence.
The project brings together culture, faith, community leadership, legal and support services, and women’s empowerment to promote safer and more supportive families and communities across Samoa.
Through community awareness programmes, SVSG works directly with villages, families, traditional leaders, churches, women, men, young people and children. The full-house approach encourages everyone in the community to participate in open discussions about violence, its impacts, prevention, available protections under the law, and the support services available to survivors and families.
A key component of the project is strengthening collaboration between communities and service providers, including the SVSG Community Law Centre, Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration, Samoa Police Service and other relevant partners. Communities are provided with information on legal protection, referral pathways and available support services so that families know where to seek help when violence occurs.
The project also places strong emphasis on Samoan culture, values, faith and community leadership as important foundations for preventing violence. By working with communities in their own villages and engaging men, women and young people together, the project seeks to encourage positive attitudes, strengthen family relationships and promote shared responsibility for preventing violence.
Through this work, SVSG continues to strengthen community ownership of violence prevention and promote a culture of safety, dignity, respect and protection for all women and children in Samoa.
The overall goal is to contribute to safer families and communities in Samoa where women and children are protected from violence, survivors can access appropriate support, and communities are empowered to prevent violence before it occurs.
The UNTF project is built around:
Through this work, SVSG continues to strengthen community ownership of violence prevention and promote a culture of safety, dignity, respect and protection for all women and children in Samoa.
"We believe in a Samoa where every individual lives free from violence. Our work focuses on prevention, education, and support, fostering resilience and empowerment amidst adversity."
Keeping your community clean and green, one pickup at a time for a healthier tomorrow for a clean earth & clear future.
