Update on the CDC Rape Prevention and Education (RPE) Program: Changes, Delays, and the Future of Sexual Violence Prevention in American Samoa

 Written by:  Jennifer F Tofaeono, Ex Director
n American Samoa, our cultural values of fa’aaloalo (respect) and alofa (love) teach us to care for one another. These values remind us to protect the most vulnerable members of our community. Talking about sexual violence and rape can be difficult, but it is an important conversation we must continue to have.
At the American Samoa Alliance Against Domestic & Sexual Violence, we work to prevent sexual violence before it happens. One of the ways we do this is through the support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Rape Prevention and Education (RPE) Program.

What is the CDC RPE Program?The CDC RPE Program provides funding to states and territories like American Samoa to support sexual violence prevention efforts. The goal is to stop violence before it starts by promoting safe, respectful relationships and strengthening protective community norms. Through this program, we offer prevention education, community outreach, and awareness campaigns that focus on changing the attitudes and behaviors that contribute to sexual violence. Our activities include working with schools, youth groups, churches, and families to promote healthy communication, consent, and safety.

Delays and Changes at the National Level Over the past few years, the RPE Program experienced delays and changes at the federal level, especially during the Trump Administration. Shifts in national funding priorities affected the timing of grants for many RPE programs across the United States and its territories, including American Samoa. As a result, our local RPE activities were temporarily put on hold. This delay was not due to actions taken here in American Samoa, but rather the result of decisions made at the federal level regarding how and when funding was distributed.

Continuing the Conversation in Our CommunityEven with the funding delays, our commitment to prevention has not stopped. During this time, we continued engaging with the community, especially focusing on conversations with men about their role in preventing sexual violence. We held dialogue sessions with men from different villages and community groups to talk openly about sexual assault, rape, and prevention education. These conversations were meaningful and provided valuable insight into how men and boys in American Samoa view their role in stopping violence.

We are pleased to announce that we will be sharing the findings from these discussions in the coming month. These findings will help shape our future prevention strategies and ensure that our programs remain culturally relevant and effective.

The Future of RPE in American Samoa. We have been informed that American Samoa will begin receiving CDC RPE funding again by July 2025. This means we will soon resume full implementation of our prevention programs.
Once the funding arrives, we will re-launch a variety of activities including:

• Community workshops focused on preventing sexual violence
• School-based education programs for youth and teachers
• Engagement activities for men and boys
• Culturally informed discussions about consent, respect, and safety

We are excited about the opportunity to continue this important work and to provide education and prevention resources to the people of American Samoa.
A Call to Support Our Upcoming ProjectsWe ask our community members to stay connected with us. Please look out for announcements about our upcoming programs and events. Your involvement makes a difference. By working together, we can build safer families, stronger villages, and a healthier American Samoa where everyone feels valued and protected.

For more information or to get involved, please contact:
American Samoa Alliance Against Domestic & Sexual Violence
Phone: (684) 699-0272
Website: www.asalliance.co