“E le Sauā le Alofa (‘Love Shouldn’t Hurt’)” is a four-year participatory project in Samoa focused on preventing violence against women (VAW). This study is part of the EVE Project, which explores community-based methods for reducing VAW in areas with high prevalence.
The EVE Project (Evidence for Violence Prevention in Extreme Settings), led by University College London (UCL), is a research initiative focused on preventing violence against women in high-prevalence areas. With a reported 40% prevalence of lifetime physical and/or sexual violence against women in Samoa, the country is a key focus of the project, alongside Peru. The project combines academic research with community engagement to develop culturally appropriate and sustainable interventions.
In 2021, the EVE Project, was formally opened in its second year in Apia. The three-day event was inaugurated by SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang, who welcomed participants and introduced the project.
The study aims to develop culturally informed interventions for preventing VAW in Samoa, drawing on local knowledge and practices. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection through interviews, focus groups, and surveys. These methods engaged various Samoan communities, allowing for the co-development of interventions that are locally relevant.
The study identifies Samoan cultural practices and community structures, including village councils and church leadership, as central to preventing violence against women. Families are crucial, playing a pivotal role in both the perpetuation and prevention of violence. Additionally, integrating spiritual values into prevention efforts aligns with community beliefs, enhancing the effectiveness and acceptance of these interventions.
The research involved the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG), University College London (UCL), the National University of Samoa, and the Samoa Bureau of Statistics, with contributions from an advisory group of local experts in the EVAWG (Ending Violence Against Women and Girls) space. This group played a crucial role in ensuring that the project’s goal of developing a localized solution to address violence was achieved. The findings will inform future community interventions in Samoa, offering a foundation for strategies that are culturally appropriate and likely to succeed in reducing VAW.
The results of this study will be publicly presented to stakeholders on Thursday, 15 August 2024, at the LAVA Hotel in Sogi. This presentation aims to garner support from development partners, government officials, and the diplomatic corps for the implementation of the study’s findings.
“Moving forward, the Samoa Victim Support Group through the EVE Research study remains committed to its mission of fostering safer communities through collaborative research and culturally informed interventions,” said Siliniu Lina Chang, SVSG President.
The “E le Sauā le Alofa” study provides a detailed examination of how community-based interventions, rooted in local practices, can address VAW in Samoa, contributing to broader efforts in violence prevention within high-prevalence regions.
Research Article: Love Shouldn’t Hurt – E le Sauā le Alofa: Co-designing a theory of change for preventing violence against women in Samoa
