Tusia: Judy Mata'utia , Training Coordinator

O le faaiuga o lenei tausaga o galuega faatino faapea ma polokalame fai, e mafai ona avea foi ma taimi e toma tasi ai, toe tomanatunatu i galuega fai, mai I lenei tausaga atoa, aemaise o le faamanatuina o le mafai ona faataunuuina o nei galuega ma ni manuia foi na tula’i mai ai.  O le 2022 sa feagai ai Le Mau ma le tele o suiga i galuega faatino ona o le a’afia ai o le atunuu I le Koviti-19, faapea foi ma faafitauli eseese ua faatupulaia I totonu o tatou siosiomaga, o le si’i o le tau o le soifuaga, toatele ua le faigaluega, ma le tele o nisi faafitauli ua tula’i mai I tua mai o le faama’i.  Peita’i e ese ma le maufetu’una’i ma le sogasoga o tatou tagata, e fai o le feagai ai ma le koviti ae fai foi o le taumafai ina ia ta’ita’iina I tatou lava ia I faiga masani fou I tua mai o le faama’i.    
 
O otootoga  nei o nisi o galuega e ese mai I galuega ma faatalanoaga masani sa mafai ona faataunuuina; 

• Avanoa saogalemu:  Na mafai ona fausia ni avanoa saogalemu sa faatalanoa, faasoa, ma faailoa mai ai le mamalu o le atunuu o latou manatu ma mafaufauga e faatatau i sauaga ma faafitauli eseese I le tatou lotoifale.  O nei avanoa saogalemu sa mafai ona faataunuuina I nofoaga eseese ma luga o le upega tafailagi ma na tele se faasoa ma fesili sa mafai ona faatalanoaina mai sui eseese sa auai i nei faatalanoaga. 
• Faiga paaga:  Sa maua le avanoa faaauro e fai paaga ai ma ni tele o faalapotopotoga, tautua, ma auaunaga eseese.  Oi latou nei o lo’o latou tautuaina foi le atunuu e ala I auaunaga faapitoa, ma sa mafai ona galulue so’oso’o tauau ma fesoasoani le isi I le isi I le faamalosia o galuega ma polokalame fai mo vaega eseese o le teritori.  O lo o faaauauina pea nei faiga paaga mo nisi o galuega mo le tausaga fou.
• Siufofoga o le tupulaga talavou:  O le mataupu I sauaga I faiga uo a tupulaga talavou sa mafai ona auai mai nisi o sui o le atunuu latou te ta’ita’iina lea faatalanoaga mo aso e 2, ma faasoa ai I le faateleina o le malamalama I galuega a latou o lo’o galulue faatasi ma tupulaga Samoa, faapea ma le a’afiaga o tupulaga Samoa I le va tapuia.  I se isi koneferenisi sa ta’ita’iina e fanau sa galulue I le polokalame a Le Mau mo le vaitau mafanafana, sa faasoa mai ai sui I le fesoasoani o lo o manaomia e aiga e mafai ai ona feagai ma faiga masani fou, o le a’afiaga o faafafine I sauaga faalotoifale, taua o le soifua manuia ma le soifua maloloina faale-mafaufau mo tama’ita’i talavou ua avea ma tina, ma a’afiaga o talavou I nei aso I le faaaogaina o fualaau faasaina.  O le autu o nei faatalanoaga uma o le mafai ona fausia o avanoa mo se leo o le tupulaga talavou e faailoa ma faasoa mai ai I o latou manatu.
• Soifua maloloina faale-mafaufau:  E taua tele le tatou soifua maloloina faale-mafaufau, ma na mafai ona avea Le Mau ma se vaega tele o lea itu.  I nisi o faiga paaga sa mafai ona ta’ita’iina ai e nisi o I latou o lo’o galulue faakonekarate I Le Mau le faatalanoaga po’o le koneferenisi e faia I tausaga ta’itasi mo le soifua maloloina faale-mafaufau.  Sa mafai ona faasoa ai I le a’afiaga o uo ma aiga o I latou ua pule io latou soifua, o lamatiaga o le tupulaga talavou pe a leai ni punaoa e mafai ona fesoasoani mo I latou, o su’esu’ega ma saili’iliga e faatatau I le sogasoga o le tupulaga talavou I Amerika Samoa, ma nisi lava mataupu taua e faatatau I le soifua maloloina faale-mafaufau o le tupulaga talavou.  Sa toatele nisi o le fanau talavou na vaaia le tiotio ma le naunau e fia avea ma faufautua I le lumana’i e tautuaina I latou e feagai ma mafatiaga.
• Faamanatu mo fanau, aiga ma ekalesia:  Sa valaauliaina Le Mau e le matagaluega a aoga, ina ia ta’ita’iina ni faatalanoaga e faatatau I le fiamalosi.  O nei faatalanoaga sa mafai ona faamaopoopoina e faifeau mai nisi o alalafaga ma sa faia mo vaiaso e 5.  Sa auai le toatele o ekalesia, e amata mai lava I le fanau iti e oo atu I tagata matutua o aulotu.  E ui I le tele o manatu ma faasoa na mafai ona faaalia, peita’i o se tulaga pito sili ona vaaia mai nei faatalanoaga, o le mafai e le fanau ona tula’i mai e faasoa I luma o tagata matutua po o latou matua foi.  E I ai le talitonuga o nei faatalanoaga ma aoaoga ua na’o ni faamanatu ma toe fafagu le mafaufau o le tagata I mea ua na iloa, ma sa amatalia faatalanoaga I le faasoa ma faailoa mai e le aofia ia uiga ma foliga o le fiamalosi.  E moni lava le upu ‘e leai se mea e fou I lalo o le la’.
• Galuega faaatisi mo le soifua manuia:  O se talitonuga tele a Le Mau le faataua o le tatou soifua manuia I le tatou olaga faale-aso ma na mafai ona faatinoina ai nisi o vasega mo le faia o galuega faaatisi e fesoasoani ai I le mafai ona fausia ma faatumauina o le soifua manuia o le tagata.  I nei vasega faaatisi sa faata’ita’i ai le tusi ma le valiga o ata sa ta’ita’iina e le tama’ita’i faaatisi lauiloa I Amerika Samoa o Puatauofo Tofaeono.  O le isi vasega faaatisi sa mafai ona a’oa’oina ai e Tasiaeafe Hiner le mafai ona faaaogaina o musika e fesoasoani ai I le faaleleia atili o lou soifua manuia.  E tele nisi ituaiga galuega faaatisi e mafai ona faia e fafau ai le soifua manuia mo tagata taitasi, ma o le toatele o tatou tagata Samoa e I ai le latou tomai ma le taleni faaatisi. 
• Potopoto Samoa:   Se isi tulaga maoae o le taumafaiga a Le Mau I lenei tausaga, o le mafai ona faapotopotoina le tele o tagata Samoa I atunuu I fafo e faatasi mai mo se latou faasoa ma faailoa mai tulaga foi o galuega ma auaunaga o lo o latou tautuaina ai nisi foi o aiga ma tagatanuu o Samoa I atunuu o lo o latou aumau ai.  E lagona foi le mafanafana ona o lo o iai nisi o latou o lo o latou ofoina atu le latou tautua ma le fesoasoani mo tatou lava tagata aemaise o le feagai ai ma taimi faigata. 

 
Ou te manatuaina le tele o faalagona eseese e o’o mai pea mae’a ona faatinoina galuega ta’itasi, ma ou faai’uina I le faapea atu I le ‘soifua’.  E maua lagona o le tino vaivai ua maea se galuega, o lagona o le fiafia ina ua faai’uina ma le manuia se polokalame, o lagona o le faafetai I le mafai ona auai mai o nisi pe faafofoga ma maimoa mai foi I le leitio, TV, upega tafailagi ma nisi lava auala, o lagona o le faafetai mo I latou sa mafai ona galulue faatasi ina ia mama ai se avega, o lagona o le talitonuina o le aufaigaluega I le mafai ona faatino nei galuega, o lagona o le faamalosiau mai mo le faaauauina pea o nei galuega, o lagona o le le fiu gofie ona o lo o tulai mai pea le tele o faafitauli I o tatou lofoifale, o lagona o le le fefe ona o le lagolagoina e le faatonu sili ma le laulau fono a Le Mau o nei galuega fai, aemaise o le lagona matamuli ona o ai ea I matou ua outou manatu mai ai e ala I le tou faatagaina o matou I totonu o tou maota ma laoa e ui atu I ala leo eseese I luga o le leitio, o polokalame faatalanoa eseese I luga o le televise, faapena ma vaega eseese I luga o le upega tafailagi ua mafai ona outou silasila mai ai I le avatu o se feau.  O nei lagona uma e taua ma e tatau ona faamanatuina ona o le malosi ma le tautiga.  Afai foi ua iai se matou upu I lenei tausaga ua sala po ua pao papa I sa outou faafofoga, ia toe faafoi mai so matou leo vaivai, ae matou te matua atu pea iina.  O le talitonuga lava a lou Mau, ia pau se fatu, ola ma fua se fatu, ma le logo a Masefau ia lagona pea lona pao.  Ia manu teleina aso fiafia o lo o tatou alo atu iai ma saga faamanuiaina pea Amerika Samoa i se tausaga fou fiafia ma le saogalemu.  Soifua!
​

Written by:  Jennifer F Tofaeono, Executive Director
It has been said, domestic violence is happening “within families so it’s NOT a major problem for (American) Samoa as a community, just a problem within the family unit” (Alliance, 2017).  I have come to realize the family unit is the community.  As Samoan’s we are interconnected with our villages, churches, matai systems, family is what supports the “Fa’aSamoa”. 
  I decided to compile a list of the top 10 things I’ve discovered over the past year.  Some of the lessons are repetitive—lessons I’ve come to know from years past and seem more relevant this past year.  These lessons have developed how I have led our team and pertain to life altogether. 
Jennifer’s Top 10 List of things Learned in 2022….

1. We need to teach the community more about what causes violence.  Victims must realize the abuse was not their fault, no matter what you did or didn’t do to stop or prevent it.   
2. Violence, whether it be domestic or sexual violence, impacts our psychological and emotional well-being. 
3. We need better ways to respond to unhealthy behavior or decisions. We can be taught better ways to communicate.  When we cannot communicate make rules on how you will react (i.e. leave the room, come back in 10 minutes, discover words that you can make part of your vocabulary that are positive, etc).
4. We need to build our own resilience to answer life’s challenges, particularly when the only solution you know is violence.
5. Strengthen your team- however you define them.  Your team can be your family members, your co-workers, or your church.  I am surrounded by some great individuals who have become my teachers, my greatest support system, every day I am grateful for my Alliance team, and my  family.
6. Empower and encourage your team, recognize the work they do and tell them the job is well done.  Our Training Coordinator, Judy Matautia said it best, “While we continue to move with the work, we continue to meet amazing and awesome people who serve our community. I am grateful for the opportunity to ‘tautua’ our community”.  
7. Prioritize.  We want to do it all. We want to see healing. We want to see knowledge.  We want to see growth.  We want to see change.  It takes many hands to make this work but remember not everyone is always on the same page.  Focus on what you can do together to get closer to the long-term goals.
8. LEARN!!!  We live in a time where information is readily available.  We can talk to others and share our stories to discover with each other.  When we understand more, we can begin to be part of the change. Visit our website at as alliance.co to access our training webinars, our articles, and public service announcements. 
9. Become an active participant to end violence. Talk to your family about what violence looks like, and the damage to the family.  Introducing behavior that is acceptable when discipling or going through arguments.  Our community needs to be taught more about deescalating techniques.
10. Be the Change you Want to See in the World- Mahatna Gahndhi. Research other ways to respond that include kindness, healing, restorative measures to strengthen families, and not tear them down. 

 This has been a remarkably full year, filled with great achievements, strengthened partnerships, and I have also witnessed grave loss.  Throughout this year I have discovered so much more about the work we do, and the community I live in.
As 2022 comes to an end the Alliance would like to say “fa’afafetai telel lava” to our partners who continue to stand with us in the fight to change the lens in which our families, our husbands, fathers, wives, mothers, and children respond to violence.  Looking forward to learning and working with you in 2023!

Written by Tina Tofaeono
Holidays can be a stressful time of year and may also stir up emotions for so many people.  Some have happy memories of their childhood, while others struggle with pain or sadness during this time of year.  The holiday season can be difficult for so many reasons.  It could be difficult childhood memories, being separated from your family, the loss of a loved one or an ended relationship or possibly you have been or are a victim of domestic violence.  These can all trigger anxiety and depression, but if you add that with the holidays, it can be a very difficult time.  
 
Domestic violence and depression have been closely linked and women who have experienced domestic violence are diagnosed with depression later in life.  Domestic violence can affect you psychologically, causing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse or suicidal thoughts.  One study shows that the likelihood of abused women experiencing PTSD is seven times higher than those who have not been abused.  Being in an abusive relationship is impactful to a woman's overall emotional and mental health.   
 
So, what can you do?  During this holiday season, it’s important to acknowledge your feelings and reach out to someone who can help you through this difficult time.  Talk to a friend, a colleague, a Pastor, or your doctor if you are feeling sad for long periods of time.  If you're having feelings of sadness, accompanied with suicidal thoughts, do one of the following  immediately:  Call 911, go immediately to the LBJ hospital emergency room or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255).  
 
You can improve your mood by practicing self care during the holidays.  Eat a healthy diet, maintain a regular sleep pattern and exercise.  According to Primary Care Companion to Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, as little as 30-minutes of cardiovascular exercise can provide an immediate mood boost, similar to the effects of an antidepressant medication.  Look into joining a support group where you can talk to people with similar experiences to yours.   Contact the Alliance at 684-699-0272 to get more information and remember, “You are not alone.”
 
https://www.stepupformentalhealth.org/how-domestic-violence-impacts-womens-mental-health/?fbclid=IwAR3RAemfPj6kzb0ggstOKO7x_rS3lfXel9bJdkyzPXQmeVlKJopgVEWq7lE

By: Karallyn Fitisone
As previously expressed in the initial Rural Newsletter Article, the American Samoa
Alliance Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (Alliance) has always prioritized the need to
understand the experience of violence amongst our people in an effort to combat, mitigate,
decrease, or prevent instances of violence. Some key factors to reiterate in this article is that this
project is made possible through a Rural Grant that was granted by the Office of Violence
Against Women (OVW) through the United States Department of Justice. In this project, we are
focused on the fa’afafine population of American Samoa. Some major goals of the project
include investigating or gathering information on fa’afafine experiences of violence and their
help seeking behaviors. We are trying to understand where it is that fa’afafine are going to for
help for instances of violence. Simultaneously, we also seek to understand our service providers
experiences of service provision to fa’afafine. Asking questions about their experiences, training,
thoughts on fa’afafine experiencing violence, their thoughts on the community addressing the
needs of fa’afafine and ways to address the needs of fa’afafine especially from their respective
professions.
Be sure to check out the previous newsletter for more context, issues being addressed, and

intended outcomes of the project:

http://www.asalliance.co/tusitala---monthly-articles/empowering-vulnerable-population-faafafine
-in-american-samoa-thru-office-of-violence-against-women-ovw-rural-program
Updates:
For data gathering, the project has 2 main portions: the first was primarily with fa’afafine
via surveys, focus group discussions, and interviews. This first portion of the project has been
completed and we are actively working on the second portion of the project which assesses our
service providers via surveys, interviews, and discussions. We have successfully collected
information from various sectors of the community: social/ healthcare /legal /political /education
services regarding their service provision to fa’afafine. We are very grateful for the support from
our community in being a part of the project and providing their time and insights.
Some exciting new additions to our project:
Falalalaga Podcast: The Samoan term “Falalalaga'' translates into mat weaving, or in our case
the podcast is our mat while our stories, experiences, and opinions are the strands being woven to
produce that mat. This activity, often accompanied by storytelling, is used to symbolize
fellowship, respect, and reciprocity and is quite common throughout Pasefika.
Be sure to check out our podcast on Anchor, Spotify. Your hosts are Executive Director: Ms.
Jennifer Tofaeono, Ms. Uni Tanielu, and Ms. Karallyn Fitisone. The aim of the podcast is to
provide a safe space or platform to discuss important topics related to the Rural project and

beyond. Our goal is to produce 2 episodes a month with varied content and topics. We hope that
this podcast stimulates positivity, encouragement, compassion, and inclusivity amongst listeners.
As well as offers listeners the opportunity to reflect on their thoughts and experiences of topics
that are discussed, and maybe challenge or question some maladaptive or harmful beliefs.
Other Media Coverage: Be sure to look out for the PSAs for updates and or information
regarding the Rural project. The initial PSA is aimed to give a brief glimpse as to what the
project is all about and serves as an additional source of resources since resources are listed
throughout the PSA if the audience wishes to read more about the information included. The
second PSA is to update the public on the progress of the project. This PSA will discuss all the
aforementioned additions as well as discuss the second portion of the project. These will be
posted on the Alliance website as well as on the Alliance social media platforms.
What To Look Forward To: In the next few months of the New Year, the Alliance hopes to
continue developing more awareness of violence experienced by our fa’afafine population as
well as find ways to promote collaboration of service providers and service users such as
fa’afafine. Training Curriculum/Outreach plans are currently being developed, and more details
on these can be provided as more information becomes available. However, it should be noted
that these plans will prioritize the creation of safe spaces, empathy, and understanding
experiences of both fa’afafine and service providers working with them.
For more information on the Rural Grant Project feel free to contact the Alliance. Contact
information can be found here - http://www.asalliance.co/contact.html. Follow along on any of
the Alliance social media pages or check in to the alliance website for updates on project
progress! Thank you for reading! Happy Holidays!