INNOVATION & EXCELLENCE TEAM AWARD

​Samoa Victim Support Group was today awarded the Samoa Public Service Innovation & Excellence Team Award for ‘Most Effective Collaborative Partnership’, during the celebration of the Public Service Day.
 
The award was in recognition of SVSG’s work with the Courts, nominated by the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration.  SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang accepted the award on behalf of the Group.
 
SVSG’s work with the Court dates back 12 years ago when the Group was just set up.  This was specifically in supporting children survivors of sexual abuse standing trial against their own family members.  This support for victims of sexual abuse continues to date, and is one of the focused area for SVSG’s support services, as highlighted by the children’s shelter facilities, the Campus of Hope.
 
With the setting up of the Family and Youth Courts in 2013, SVSG’s work with the Ministry of Justice extended to include rehabilitation programs for the offenders of violence through SVSG’s Advocacy Program, offering anger management, alcohol abuse and other counseling support.
 
Support services for the victims and the offenders continued to be self-funded by SVSG through donations.
 
The Innovation and Excellence Team Award received today is therefore an achievement for the Group, as it struggles to source out secured funding for its Advocacy Program for the Courts.
 
In receiving the award today, SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang acknowledges the support from the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration, Papalii John Taimalelagi Afelé as highlighted by the Ministry’s nomination of SVSG for the award.
 
“Thank you so much Papalii and staff for recognizing the Ministry’s partnership with SVSG as effective and collaborative in achieving justice.  SVSG will continue being the voice of the voiceless and we look forward to continue working in partnership with the Ministry.”  Siliniu Lina Chang, SVSG President