Domestic Violence and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in American Samoa

Written by:  Terry Tofaeono, PROVISION 
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Domestic violence can cause trauma and stress that is very common in our islands of American Samoa. Because victims do not always report their traumatic experiences, domestic violence in our villages and homes is often ignored.

Abuse comes in various forms and affects people of different walks within our communities, and the violence can be passed down from generation to generation. Some Samoans are taught that children are not to be spoiled, so the saying, “Spare the rod and spoil the child,” can be taken past the boundaries of discipline and into the realm of physical abuse. This physical abuse may affect its victims for the rest of their lives.

Sexual abuse is another form of domestic violence that is polluting our homes and families. The majority of sexual abuse cases in American Samoa are perpetrated by relatives of the victims, and  when the victim reports the crime to their family, too many times the victim is silenced by the people who should be protecting them. This also brings on trauma that affects the victims all of their lives.

There are many other forms of domestic violence, but just these two types (physical and sexual abuse), have been running rampant in our communities for far too long, and victims are experiencing physical and mental health symptoms as a result.

Too many young people on our islands suffer from depression, bitterness and resentment, anger leading to fits of rage, substance abuse and alcoholism, and suicidal thoughts. Some of our young men are able to escape the abuse by going to college and playing football. Other young people (male and female) are able to get away by joining the military. However, the effects of the trauma typically follow where ever the victim goes.

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is an outcome of domestic violence that is not considered as much as it should be. Our children who go off island to play football or join the military, come home after years of service suffering from PTSD. I believe that they are already suffering from PTSD before they leave the islands and when they return, the trauma they experience playing football or serving in the military just adds to, or compounds, the issue.

Symptoms of PTSD are not always easy to spot, but an article in Beaufort Memorial (bmhsc.org/blog/the-connection-between-domestic-violence-and-ptsd) points out three overarching categories of PTSD as well as some effects:

1. Avoidance: Avoiding reminders of “triggers” of the traumatic even, such as people, places, thoughts or events.
2. Arousal and reactivity: Sudden inexplicable anger, outbursts, difficulty being reached emotionally, feeling numb, trouble sleeping and startling easily.
3. Reliving the event: Being confronted by the emotional trauma of the event suddenly and without an obvious reason, resulting in emotional outbursts, chills, heart palpitations, extreme anxiety and other symptoms.

“Left untreated, PTSD can cause long-term mental health effects, including anger management issues, severe depression and intense loneliness. Additionally, untreated PTSD can increase the likelihood of developing several life-threatening conditions including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and substance abuse disorders.”

If you, or someone you know, is suffering from PTSD as a result of domestic violence, contact The American Samoa Alliance against Domestic and Sexual Violence at 684-699-0272 for more information. You can also reach them by e-mail at asadsv@gmail.com or at their website, asalliance.co.