Written by:  PROVISION Media , Photos from Sierasuntimes and CNNPolitics 2022
President Barack Obama was the first US President to proclaim National Stalking Awareness Month in January 2011.  In 2021, President Joe Biden proclaimed January 2022 to be National Stalking Awareness Month and announced that a task force will be put in place to address digital stalking.  The White House highlighted that one in six women and one in seventeen men will experience some type of stalking in their lifetime.  “Stalking operates in the shadows and is fueled by silence and inaction,” Biden commented.  “As we begin this new year, let us commit to shining a brighter light on this insidious crime, to broadening our support for those affected, and to ensuring that all people can live in a world free from violence and fear.”
Stalking is a pattern of unwanted behavior.  Often, the person stalking makes threats or intends to harm the victim.  It involves harassment, repeatedly contacting or following another person, going to their home without being invited, lingering around places they know the person visits, damaging their property and spying on them.  Stalking can also occur online and is often referred to as cyberstalking.
Almost half the people who are stalked experience at least one unwanted contact a week, 11% of those targeted are stalked for five years or longer.  
Four warning signs of stalking: 
 Fixated
Obsessive
Unwanted
Repeated
Here are some tips to help if you feel that you’re being stalked, carry your cell phone with you at all times and keep it charged, trust your instincts, exercise with a friend and try not to go places alone.  Enroll in a self defense class, don’t respond to the stalker and seek counseling.  If you’re at home, make sure the house is secure and well lit and be sure to let your neighbors know that you’re being stalked in case they see anything out of the ordinary.
If you have experienced repeated contact from the same person, report it to the police by calling 911 or 633-111.  If you would like further support contact Catholic Social Services at 699-5683, or Department of Human Social Services at 633-2696.  Safehepline 24/7 hotline at (877)995-5247 (sexual assault), or 24 hour abuse hotline, National Abuse Hotline (800)799-7233. 

Written by PROVISION Media
Teen dating violence is a patten of controlling behavior exhibited towards one teenager by another one while dating.  Three major types of teen dating violence are:  Physical abuse:  hitting, punching, slapping, kicking or shoving.  Emotional abuse;  threats, name calling, screaming, yelling, teasing, intimidating, stalking, calling or using social media to harass.  Sexual abuse;  any unwanted touching, kissing or being coerced into sexual acts.

Relationships are hard, but when you’re a teenage they are even harder and complicated.  A relationship often requires more maturity than most teenagers have developed, but feel they are ready.   Immaturity and lack of experience are just of couple issues teenagers will deal with.  As a result of that, teenagers are more likely to be in relationships that are unhealthy, violent and or abusive.  Some signs to look for are:  extreme jealousy, insecurity, bouts of anger, unusual moodiness, placing blame on the relationship, not taking responsibility, controlling, making accusations or isolating you from friends and family.

Approximately 1 in 3 adolescent girls in the U.S is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner.  Short term consequences linked to teen dating violence for the victim include depression, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases or unintended pregnancies.  

Looking for certain behaviors could be an indication of teen dating violence, such as; a sudden change in appearance, sleeping habits, failing grades, avoiding friends and family, being withdrawn, apologizing or making excuses or having unexplained bruises or scratches.  

If you suspect teen dating violence, talk to them and guide them to the right resources.  Don’t judge them or tell them why they shouldn’t be in the relationship, just listen.  If you are in a situation dealing with teen dating violence, talk to someone you trust and seek professional help.  One resource is The American Samoa Alliance against Domestic and Sexual Violence, you can contact them at (684) 699-0272.  Or you can consult the National Dating Abuse Helpline at (866) 331-9474 (calls are anonymous and available 24 hours).


Teen dating violence prevention - children's safety network. https://www.childrenssafetynetwork.org/child-safety-topics/teen-dating-violence. (n.d.). Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://www.childrenssafetynetwork.org/child-safety-topics/teen-dating-violence 
Staff, M. (n.d.). Massachusetts Survivors Outreach. Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://masso.webs.com/howwestarted.htm 
staff, A. W. T. H. R. (2019, February 28). Teen dating and domestic violence awareness. wthr.com. Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://www.wthr.com/article/news/health/teen-dating-and-domestic-violence-awareness/531-35e6ddf6-8a52-4e9b-ae06-3cf11087cb3f 

Written by:  Jennifer Tofaeono, Executive Director, Alliance
When I was 23 years old, I began working for a rape crisis unit.  It was solely volunteer based. The organization provide training before you worked with victims.  You were asked to carry a pager (that’s how long ago) and expected to stay connected with victims who called the hotline.  Sometimes you would receive a call from a police officer who would ask your presence at the Emergency Room to ensure the victim received support.  I once I took an Enneagram 2 personality, and I was defined “The Helper”.  Based on their definition I am generous and sympathetic, already ready to step in when needed to help those around as needed.  As a Helper, I am compelled to aid lend a hand, empathize, and aid others to live their best lives.  I believe many advocates are “Helpers”.
 After some time, I find myself back in a field that relies heavily on support systems, and effective community advocacy.  For the person who posed this question I would ask, “At the core of your being have you identified your strengths and ability to provide assistance?”.  Many times, as “Advocates” we overextend ourselves.  We seek ways to make a difference and touch the hearts of others.  We want to see them heal, and live good lives.  Advocates strive to use genuine affection and connection to leave the world a better place, ensuring resilience.  We push ourselves to be of assistance that we deny our own needs.  Make sure that you are well as an advocate.  Victims can provide stories that can be triggering, identify your triggers, and ensure you have coping mechanisms to remain well.  
I would remind advocates your role is to provide "Help".  Make sure that you are feeling healthy to help sexual assault survivors understand the options that are available to them. As an advocate you should be a source of information to help them make reliable decisions. If you are feeling triggered and unsafe it is important to refer the victim to another advocate. Another way to stay healthy is to learn coping mechanisms, and remember to provide support, not judgment, not pushing your ideas of "What is best".  Remember the "Victim knows what's Best".  Once the victim has made that decision, as an advocate you support the survivor on the best way to reach their goals.  

By Eleanor Sogialofa,
I am a childhood trauma survivor.  Even though I am a survivor, I still deal with unresolved trauma.  It is something that I will carry with me forever, and it can be frustrating as I wonder why me.  I have hated feeling that I was a damaged person who carries a lot of baggage, feeling “messed up”.  In the Pacific Island Samoan community, we are taught to suppress our feelings, because showing feelings is a sign of weakness.  I am taught to be fearless, intimidating, tough and stern.  What I have found through my work, and the people who I have connected with—I can cope with trauma. 
Everyone has experienced trauma at some early point their life.  Victims who have experienced domestic violence, and/or sexual violence have had traumatic experiences.  The National Institute of Mental Health (USA) defines childhood trauma as: “The experience of an event by a child that is emotionally painful or distressful, which often results in lasting mental and physical effects.” A well-known Centers of Disease Control (CDC) study explores link between childhood trauma and adult health called “ACE” or Adverse Childhood Experiences.  Results report about 65% of children experience at least 1 adverse event, and 40% of children at least 2 or more ACEs.  The higher the number of experiences the developmental trauma or complex trauma a victim faces.  Examples of ACE are: (1) Physical Abuse, (2) Sexual Abuse, (3) Emotional Abuse (4) Physical Neglect (5) Emotional Neglect (6) Mother treated violently (7) Household substance abuse (8) Household mental illness (9) Parental separation or divorce (10) Physical abused, there are 9 other items not listed here, but I think you get the picture.
As a community we need to understand when children have higher ACE scores, children will have rougher childhood, and have higher risk of health problems as adults.  ACE experiences can lead to increase of illness such as obesity, stroke, heart disease and can impact future adult relationships.  Childhood trauma survivors may experience behavioral changes. This report shows us that children cannot deal with trauma.  If you are a young adult and carry trauma, I encourage you to get moving.  Do not isolate, make sure that you have a safe space.  Listen to your body, if you feel you cannot control your emotions, your anger ask or seek help from either a friend, a safe person, or an advocate. 
In my current position I read and research about ways we can cope with trauma.  It has taught me that I am a survivor.  I am strong, resilient, and capable.  
Source:  Cdc.gov Npr.gov