Over the recent months I have been asked, “Why is there an increase in Domestic Violence and Sexual assault cases.”  My answer, “More victims are reporting.  It has always existed, but their stories were never told.”
 In 2019 the Alliance asked survivors questions about their journey, and nine (9) women were willing to share their story.  Of the nine first-experiences, only one abuser was arrested.  When asked “Why were the police not involved?” one victim stated she did not think it was warranted, another said, she was “too scared of the perpetrator and didn’t want to bring shame” to her family.  She felt the situation was her fault.  Another stated, “I didn’t know what to feel or do, it was complete confusion.” The victim shared the experience was embarrassing, as well as concern for what others would think of her.  She stated, “It was like deep loneliness as this to be brought upon one (person) and I had a fear of everyone and everything—the incident took my mind into a blank space and emptiness.”

Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault have a higher risk of experiencing multitude of mental health conditions.  Studies show Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is seven times higher in victims of domestic and sexual violence.  Depression is 2.7 times greater, anxiety four times greater and drug-alcohol misuse six times greater.  Victims are 3.5 times greater to have suicidal thoughts than those who have not experienced violence.  During acts of violence (domestic or sexual), the abuser will commonly be remorseful and apologize for their actions, which is often referred to as the “honeymoon” period and supports the cycle of abuse.  These cycles of physical and emotional pressure impact the mental and physical well-being. 

This was evident in our findings with our local survivors as respondents were unable to cope with their experiences and did not know where to find the appropriate support to make decisions.  A nineteen (19) year old sexual assault victim shared, “Three of the guys were my brother-in-law’s first cousins (brothers) and three were friends of theirs so my brain was not all there.”  Additionally, she did not want her parents to find out.  She only told her sister in fear of retaliation. The incident was “swept under the rug”.  Another victim of domestic violence—beaten by her husband kept pictures of the bruises with the intention of reporting him but decided to divorce him instead.  When the women were asked why they didn’t take their cases to court the overwhelming response pointed towards self-preservation:  “I didn’t want to start a fuss or talk about it:  it was easier to ignore,” or “I didn’t want to see this guy that did this to me and add on to that—it was for my own safety.”
 
I have been asked, “How do we stop the violence?”, and the answer is extremely complex. Mindsets must be changed for the community.  I follow up with the question: “How do we help our victims get to healing?”  There are simple things we can all do to make a difference for a victim.  We can let them know, “I believe you, and support you.” There are a higher number of victims of violence that report, versus victims who falsely report.  Teaching our first responders how to engage with victims of domestic and sexual assault, as the victims in our survey stated when the police were called, they felt they (victims) were too crazy, and did not make an arrest .  In a training I attend with Honolulu Police Officers, they are taught to let the evidence be the determining factor, and not the comments about the victim sway—focus on the facts of the case.   Our healthcare providers can be taught how to ask appropriate questions from their patients to disclose abuse—to ensure they get the needed services.  It’s about making stronger systems to getting support faster.  A greater awareness of the relationship between domestic abuse and sexual assault, and mental health will help people get the support they need quicker.

During the month of May, the Alliance will hold Webinar’s regarding Wellness, focusing on tips to achieve mental wellness.  They are simple, not complexed and we encourage the community to participate.  We will continue to host “Talanoa Tables” to learn from the community, while practicing social distancing.  If you are interested and would like more information please contact our office at 699-0272 and ask for Judy Matautia, or email: asadsv@gmail.com

For more information regarding the report, “Defining an Effective Response to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in American Samoa” visit our resources page.
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A few months back I attended a Department of Safety (DPS) Shift Christmas Party. I was ecstatic to celebrate with the  “Big guys” and the “Big Girls”. Police officers are the good guys, the guys who enforce the laws and help keep our community safe. I held them up to high standards and had nothing but respect for them because of their line of work.
However, this party portrayed a different perspective than what I believed to be true. The incidents that occurred that night changed my perspective. Throughout the evening I witnessed firsthand bullying, discrimination, sexual harassment, gender inequality, lack of respect, lack of security and lack of discipline.  I thought, "Maybe this is what they were taught?." I told my friends of my concerns and how I did not feel safe at the party. Her response caused in me great sadness.

I learned that they're trained to be that way. During their Academy training they learned  this type of conduct as a means to toughen up. This learning approach has been used many times  focused on fear based training or warrior style training.  Jacob Frey, Minneapolis Mayor stated, “Warrior-style” training takes a fear-based approach to policing that prioritizes officer safety over community safety by conditioning trainees to view all encounters as inherently dangerous."  In other words this form of training encourages cops to be fearful in all situations, therefore not trusting in any situation. Frey's statement reveals  the strength of police officers is to support each other due to difficult situations they deal with every day. Working as a cop implies you are a member of a close group. Regardless of where you work, your law enforcement partners become like a second family, offering help all through your profession and after leaving.  It all sounds good, but what I saw that night were all the negatives of fear based training.

A victim of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and/or sexual assault, dealing with a police officer with warrior style training  can cause more harm.  In discussions with victims of domestic and sexual violence in American Samoa it was noted out of nine (9) victims who were interviewed only one (1) contacted the police, where the abuser was arrested.  One victim stated, "I was too scared of the perpetrator, and I didn't want to bring shame upon my family."  We need those who are there to protect us, to believe us.  For a victim this is asking police officers, "Be thorough in your investigation."  Examine both sides of the story, look at the evidence and make your decisions based on the evidence presented, not with how you feel.  Making sure to collect the evidence, like taking photos, or making sure the victim obtains medical care, Just as important is to make a risk assessment of the situation. Provide safety planning for a victim can be essential. 
 
I guess what I'm saying is...I understand the Warrior style mentality.  It can sometimes help them create safe working environment when you're placing your life on the line every day.  Police officers are exposed to bad things every single day. They get used to it and don’t realize it, but over time the effects build up.  Warrior style mentality offers only one style of law enforcement training.  Training can be focused on wellness.  Working through wellness can help create a trusted and open work environment among employers and employees. Participating in wellness can help Police Officers share what they go through or experience on duty and how they can help each other. Another alternative is to offer mental health services for Police Officers when they are exposed to terrible situations on a daily bases.  The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is aware that cops work in environments where bad things happen. Accordingly, NIJ developed the Safety, Health, and Wellness Strategic Research Plan to describe its current and projected efforts to advance the security, well being, and health of people who work in or are influenced by the criminal equity framework. The plan states that “the focus on stress, trauma, and suicide and self-harm prevention cuts across demographic areas highlighting the importance of promoting research of these topics within the criminal justice system.” - James Dawson

Although there are no solid alternatives for fear based training, these healthy ways can aid in finding a solution that can more properly train police officers. This can result in creating a healthy work place among police officers and improved approaches for victims of domestic and sexual violence. 

Author:  Eleanor Sogialofa
The Alliance would like to support the thoughts and visions of our youth.  Eleanor Sogialofa supports our media team, and she provides a voice for the youth.  Each month Eleanor will write a piece based on her perspective.  As we look to develop change agents we are proud to support her writings. 


What is 20/60/20?
Most work places have 20/60/20 staffing. 20 % of those staff members are visionaries. They carry the vision and mission of the work place and aid in pushing everything forward. 60% of those staff members are maintenance. They come in, get the work done; they’re on time, do the best that they can nothing more and nothing less. The last 20% of those members are resistors. This 20% are in the resistance phase, where they challenge why you are doing things a certain way and makes sure that everybody knows that they are not happy at the workplace.

Why is it important to know?
It is an important fact to know because you get a general idea of people you work with. As management and leadership it is how you set the tone around putting your efforts in challenging your employees to grow. The 60 and 20 percent is where your energy lies most because you mentor and coach them. That’s 80% of your staff that are there to show up and collect a paycheck. That is a conflict because their work is not genuine, they can cause conflict amongst other coworkers, and they can be careless to certain duties in the workplace.

Who does it affect?
It is great for both management and staff. This visual will help Management and leadership find ways to help that 80 % grow and see what can be done to help them (the staff). This will also help the staff in a way that will reveal to them as they self reflect if there is something that can be done. It gives the stat stuff under the 80% to see what makes them feel the way they do at work, why does work make them feel that way and what are some solutions that can help resolve this conflict.

 For the past few years the Alliance Team has invested in an exercise “My One Word” from a book by Mike Ashcroft & Rachel Olson.  The two authors focus on the power and beauty in words, and how they help to create movement. Words help us to focus and expand our horizons, and place in our minds a world of possibilities.  This year one of our staff chose the word “unravel”.  The intersections of oppression, domestic violence and sexual assault requires a lot of unraveling.  In our ASTA (Awareness, Sharing, Training, Action) bimonthly sessions we focused on “Unraveling Oppression”.

                The funding provided to the Alliance dictates our workplans to educate, promote awareness and build capacity for our member organizations, and partners regarding domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.  Discussions center on power and control. The Duluth Model of power and control provides the framework which includes tactics used by perpetrators to control victims.  Feminists who work in areas of domestic violence and sexual assault believe the foundation of power and control stems from oppression.   Oppression comes in many forms, with sexism being one of the most well-known form.

                Sexism is a system of power in which men have power in society over women.  For physical and sexual violence men will use their power to isolate victims.  They will control who they see, where she goes, and limits any outside connections.  Abusers will use intimidation, making the victim feel afraid through looks, actions, smashing things, or destroying her property.  Male privilege, where the victim is made to feel like a servant, and he acts like the “master of the castle”.   Abusers will define men’s and women’s roles to keep the victim under control. 

                The most prevalent and unnoticed cultural impact on the lives of women is the treatment they receive by society because they are female.  In Samoa we have a patriarchal society, where men hold power in matai settings, church settings, and system of government.  It is important that we understand how our cultural messages influence the lens in which we see the world.  In our ASTA what we unraveled is our cultural foundations, the “Fa’aSamoa”, religion, and government, are tangled with the oppression, and violence. 

                There is much to be unraveled as we look to define our stories (i.e. where a woman is unable to take care of herself and requires a man to be sole provider, and authority in the home.  In the coming months we will share our discussions on gender roles, and its intersections with violence. We invite you to learn from our sharing.