The fourth and final cohort of leading SVSG village representatives, trained on how
to respond effectively and efficiently to cases of gender based violence (GBV) in
the community, have completed for Upolu.
After four sets of 2-days training, a total of 160 village leaders, registered as
representatives of the Samoa Victim Support Group in village communities, have
improved understanding and knowledge on the importance of their roles as first
respondents in cases of GBV.

The last group of trainees comprised of elderly high chiefs (both male and female). The eldest being 82
years old. As such, the wealth of traditional knowledge and the respect afforded to them within the village
councils of their respective communities, are the added value they each brought to the learning table.
Their know how on processing cases from the villages to SVSG onto the Police have been impressive. How
they have challenged the co-trainers from the Police Domestic Violence Unit and the SVSG Community
Division through the presentation of different scenario of GBV matters, speaks volume of the commitment
from these village leaders to become better respondents
Culminating the theoretical learning was the visit by the village representatives to the Campus of Hope
shelter facililties for the abused women and children. It was there at the Campus that the reality of the
village leaders work was put to the test, when they came face to face with the victims of GBV, some of
whom, they have assisted with their cases.
It was an emotional networking, as the leaders spoke to the childen as parents; feeling their pain and
suffering together, as a family. The importance of a child in a family, as “God’s gift to the parents” was
reiterated time and time again during this activity with the children.
And the SVSG village representative from Tanumalala, Maifala Faumuina perfectly sums up the village
leaders work for the people of Samoa during the visit with the children, “this is a work from the heart”, “o
lenei galuega, o le galuega e fai mai le fatu.”
SVSG President, Siliniu Lina Chang confirmed that, “the training was facilitated by SVSG personnel with
special presentations from the Police Domestic Violence Unit. SVSG is appreciative of the Samoa Gender
Partnership Program, funded by the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade, for the opportunity to upskill the leading SVSG village representatives to carry
out their tautua (service) from the heart.”