ACCESSING SUPPORT IN SAVAII

​“Accessing support services should be the same for our people in Upolu and Savaii, especially when addressing family violence,” according to SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang, during the opening of the extended SVSG Office in Tuasivi Savaii.  This is important so that our people in Savaii do not have to travel all the way to Upolu to lodge a complaint for cases requiring assistance.  The double celebration in Savaii last week was the opening of the renovated office facility for SVSG and the inaugural graduation for offenders of violence, shared a common goal, which is addressing family violence. 
 
From a one-room office to an extended office facility with interview rooms, enough space for the advocacy program for men and women offenders of violence and rooms for survivors of violence requiring a temporary refuge.  The extension is necessary to cater for the increase demand for SVSG’s support from our people in Savaii.
 
The renovated work from building supplies to the construction were all through the volunteer work and donation by the proud SVSG village representatives of Savaii.  “Malo le loto nu’u, Fa’afetai le alolofa i o tatou tagata.”  Siliniu Lina Chang
 
Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani-Tuala Warren was given the honors to cut the ribbon to officially welcome the invited guests into the renovated office facility.  Included amongst the guests were families of the rehabilitated men and women offenders of violence referred from the Family Court in Savaii, to attend counseling programs with SVSG, who have successfully completed their sessions and were graduating.  The newly sworn in member of the Judiciary Judge Talasa Atoa-Sa’aga was amongst the supporters to the event.
 
Reverend Auatama Esera of the CCCS Fuailalo opened the double celebration with a prayer before Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration, Papalii John Papalii gave the keynote address.  A computer and a printer were also presented to SVSG courtesy of the Ministry of Justice, to further support the work of SVSG.
 
The inaugural graduation ceremony for offenders of violence in Savaii fits in well the opening of the renovated office facility for SVSG at Tuasivi.
 
The celebration once again saw the coming together of SVSG’s working partners, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Police, SVSG Village Representatives and families, in celebrating our united stance against family violence.