What to do to address the escalating scourge of domestic violence in the territory was among questions that candidates running for governor and lt governor were asked at the American Samoa Bar Association’s Gubernatorial Forum last Thursday.
The question: Sadly every day we read about domestic violence in the news. How would your administration reduce the rate of domestic violence in the territory and what resources will you provide to survivors of domestic violence?
Candidate for Lt Governor in the Lemanu/Talauega team Talauega Eleasalo Vaalele Ale said their goal is not to reduce or manage domestic violence but to eliminate it from the territory because “it’s a cancer that destroys families.”
Talauega said eliminating domestic violence starts with education and encouraging victims to speak up.
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Responding for the Nua/Satele team, candidate for lt. governor Tapumanaia Galu Satele Jr said domestic violence is one of the most misunderstood issues when one considers the emotions of victims involved.
He said one of the top pillars of their team’s platform is families, a government that’s built on a foundation of families.
Tapumanaia said there should be appreciation and understanding of the important value of families in building harmony, love and appreciation for each other.
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Candidate for governor Gaoteote Palaie Tofau cited the phrases for women in the Samoan language to illustrate the important role of and respect for women in the culture. Se’e ta la luma which refers to wives of orators who sit in the front and make decisions like their husbands, Tamaitai sa, sacred women,. iomata o tuagane, pupil of brother’s eye ,and anau pele, treasured children.
He said these special terms for women indicate their special place , he recalled the words of his father any male who beats his wife and children is a coward and a foolish one because the person they hurt ae the only ones he’s not afraid off and can bully.
Gaoteote left it up to his running mate Faiivae Alex Iuli to give the rest of their team’s answer .
Senator Faiivae said presently there are many programs in the government and outside government for example the Batters Interventional at the Department of Human and Social Services, the Office of Catholic Social Services also offers counseling and community coalitions sponsor the Strengthening Samoan Families program which brings couples and children affected by domestic violence to discuss with a facilitator from DHSS ways to resolve their problems and stop violence in the home.
Faiivae said what’s needed is expanding and improving the various programs that provide assistance for victims of domestic violence.
Candidate for Governor in the Iaulualo/ Tapaau team I’aulualo Faafetai Talia said domestic violence requires a collaborative response from the government, families, villages and churches.
“It takes everyone working together to deal with it,” he said.
He said when he was director of Human and Social Services, many cases of spousal abuse were forwarded to the court for prosecution but the victims would change their minds and ask that their husbands not be prosecuted.
I’aulualo stated that if election he and Tapaau would propose a “three strikes you’re out law”, where once a perpetrator is referred to the court for domestic violence a third time, even if the spouse, asks to withdraw, the case will not be dropped.
The candidate for governor said training for police officers so they are well equipped to deal with domestic violence cases is also needed.
He emphasized that the government alone cannot resolve the scourge of violence in the family… there must be support from families, churches and villages.
