Apia, Samoa – “Today will be different, I just know it.” These were the words *Rita fervently prayed as she
prepared to leave the Campus of Hope that had become her sanctuary for about three months, and return
home to her children and husband of 13 years. As a constant victim of physical, verbal and emotional abuse
in her marriage over the years, Rita, a 51-year-old mother of nine, had sought refuge at the Campus of
Hope, a shelter for women and children experiencing domestic violence, as a last resort.
Late one night earlier this year in April during the COVID-19 lockdown, Rita fled to her sister-in-law's house
next door for safety from her incensed husband who was abusing her and swearing at her. Her niece, who
had seen the Spotlight Initiative’s free helpline social media promotion, told her about this and they contacted
the Samoa Victims Support Group (SVSG), who runs the helpline, and they immediately responded to Rita’s
cry for help. Rita was offered care and protection under the SVSG’s Campus of Hope, which became her
safe haven and counseling support for 12 weeks. Other support services provided for Rita included a
protection order issued immediately, and her husband being taken into police custody.
When the Spotlight Initiative caught up with Rita after 12 weeks, she was full of hope and optimism.
“I am so glad I sought refuge with SVSG when I did, as they not only protected me, they also facilitated
counseling for both my husband and I which has led to the change that I have seen in him and in our
relationship” said Rita.
During her time at the shelter, Rita had to be separated from her children, but she was determined to see
through the process to create a positive change for her family and herself. Reflecting upon her ordeal, Rita
said she is glad she sought help when she did, and that she stayed the course.
“Don't be afraid to take that step to seek help, you will take courage when you look into the eyes of your
children,” she said, encouraging other women who are going through what she did to not suffer in silence.
Rita is now reunited with her family. Her husband, of his own free will, is currently undergoing counseling
support through the SVSG Men Against Violence Programme for anger management and alcohol addiction
problems. He is sometimes accompanied by Rita at these sessions. On a recent follow-up visit with the
SVSG counsellors, Rita said she is a changed woman. Her courage in speaking out and seeking help has
motivated her husband to become a better man, husband and father. Rita, who relies mainly on the family
plantation and selling cocoa and fruits by the roadside for income, visits the shelter often with baskets of
coconuts from her plantation, to help feed the children and women at the Campus of Hope, as her way of
giving back to those who gave her hope during her darkest moments.
Rita’s story ended well because she was able to access help on time. It altered the course of her marriage
and her life, thanks to the immediate help provided by SVSG via the Spotlight Initiative-supported free
helpline.
UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ARTICLE
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Spotlight Initiative
The Spotlight Initiative is a joint program of the European Union and the United Nations via its various
agencies including UNDP. USD4 million have been allocated for UN programs in Samoa. These funds
will, in conjunction with national partners, support the development of legislation and policies to eliminate
violence against women, and to strengthen national and sub-national institutions in responding to the needs
of victims.
“We are grateful for the timely partnership between SVSG and UNDP through the Spotlight Initiative. It
allowed a virtual connection to be widely established in promoting the services of the 24/7 helpline, online
counseling and access to help via social platforms. The message was loud and clear – ‘Help is not on shut
down!’,” said Siliniu Lina Chang, President of SVSG.
Just last Sunday night at 9, SVSG responded to a call referred to its helpline from the 911 emergency line. It
was an attempted suicide case of a young girl in Savaii stemming from an issue with her family. SVSG has
more than 800 representatives in villages across the country. One of them, in a village near where the
incident happened, was able to be dispatched quickly to this case. Along with the help of the SVSG officer in
Savaii, they were able to track down the family involved and offered help and support. By 2 early the next
morning, the matter was resolved, and the girl was reconciled with her family.
A grim picture
While the lockdown has now been lifted, Samoa continues to be under a state of emergency with some
restrictions still in place. To date, SVSG has answered 533 calls through the national helplines, and distress
calls recorded and responded to were directly related to 86 domestic violence incidents in the home.
As part of the helpline case management referrals, high-risk priority cases were immediately referred for
Police intervention, 17 to the courts for interim protection orders, and 42 victims, who were all women and
children, were cared for under the SVSG shelter. The helplines connected more than 3,000 family members
of men, women, children, and people with disabilities and the LGBT+ community in Upolu and Savaii, to one
or more support services. These range from counseling, suicide affected families in need of support,
evacuation and shelter for care and protection, case management and referrals, health, legal and
police services, welfare assistance and community support.
The Spotlight Initiative, in response to gender-based violence (GBV) and COVID-19, programmed
USD20,000 to support SVSG as a mainstream frontline Community Service Organization providing essential
services to ensure GBV-response services are available and accessible to women, children and any
vulnerable individual, in a safe manner during the country’s state of emergency. SVSG responded to 415
calls through the Helpline, with 46 distress calls responded to with Police intervention during the first six
weeks of lockdown relating to domestic violence.
Hopes for a better future
Rita’s story is one of many with happy endings that have come out of the SVSG Campus of Hope. Her
prayers for a different day have been answered, as she has now turned a new chapter in her life with her
UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ARTICLE
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husband and family. Others have not been so fortunate, but with the incredible work of organizations like
SVSG, and the financial backing and critical partnerships like the one between the European Union and the
UN, it is hoped that more stories like Rita’s will continue to emerge.
Through programs like the Spotlight Initiative, it is also hoped that the scourge of domestic violence and
GBV will be totally eliminated from our society.
*Not her real name.
-ENDS-
Notes:
The Samoa Victims Support Group (SVSG) is the lead implementing Civil Society Organization
partner under the Spotlight Initiative. It is a non-governmental organization that supports victims and
survivors of crimes and gender-based violence and the most vulnerable populations. SVSG’s
mandate includes advocacy, case management work, shelter for children and women victims of
domestic violence, and community violence prevention programs. SVSG has been recognized for its
work in defending human rights in Samoa and the Pacific region. It relies entirely on donations and
private funding for its operations, and they welcome any offer of assistance. They not only provide
shelter to all those who seek refuge with them, they also need to feed and clothe them, including
providing diapers and formula for newborn babies that the Campus of Hope has to take in.
The free, 24-hour helpline is: 800-7874
To help with the work of SVSG, please call: 27904/25392, or visit www.samoavictimsupport.org
**
The Spotlight Initiative is a global, multi-year partnership between the European Union and the
United Nations to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030. It is the world’s
largest targeted effort to end all forms of violence against women and girls. Launched with a seed
funding commitment of €500 million globally from the European Union, the Spotlight Initiative
represents an unprecedented global effort to invest in gender equality as a precondition and driver
for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
**
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality,
and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we
help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at undp.org or
follow at @UNDP.
**
For media queries, please contact:
Laufaleaina Lesa, UNDP Multi-Country Office, Samoa|Tel. +685 23670|E: laufaleaina.lesa@undp.org
www.ws.undp.org @UNDP in Samoa, Cook Islands, Tokelau & Niue @undpsamoa
