The research initiative by the Samoa Victim Support Group in March 2020 is completed, and the study
results will be publicly presented to relevant stakeholders on Thursday, 15 August 2024 at 10.00am at the
LAVA Hotel, Sogi.
The findings highlighted what a Samoan approach to reducing family violence looks like; putting the
spotlight on the pivotal role of families, the daily management by village councils and the spiritual guidance
from the church leaders.
The findings are building SVSG’s research evidence-based Samoan approach to violence prevention. As an
essential service provider for domestic and gender-based violence matters, the study result will inform
further community intervention and prevention program by SVSG to address violence.
Called ‘E le Saua le Alofa’ or ‘Love Shouldn’t Hurt’, the Project is part of a much larger piece of work called
the E.V.E Project. The E.V.E stands for Evidence for Violence prevention in the Extreme.
The EVE Project is about building an evidence base for how to prevent violence in the world’s highest
prevalence settings, which Samoa falls under, with a prevalence of lifetime physical and/or sexual violence
against women of 40% (from the DHS-MICS survey). The two primary case studies forming part of the
broader EVE Project are implemented in Samoa and Peru.
The Project in Samoa is a collaboration between the University College London (UCL), the SVSG, the
National University of Samoa, and the Samoa Bureau of Statistics.
An Advisory Group was also set up for the Research Project comprised of local experts in the EVAWG
space. This Group played a crucial role in ensuring that the project goal of developing a localized solution
to address violence, is achieved.
The presentation of the research findings to the development partners, government, and the diplomatic
corps will gauge relevant support for actions informed by the study results.

“Moving forward, the Samoa Victim Support Group
through the EVE Research study remains committed
to its mission of fostering safer communities through
collaborative research and culturally informed
interventions.” Siliniu Lina Chang, SVSG President.