4 Jul 2007

Samoa PM encourages debate in parliament about social ills

3:27 pm on 4 July 2007

Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has encouraged the discussion in Parliament of increasing social problems such as sexual abuse.

He said members were embarrassed to mention the increase of incest cases but the truth is, such issues should be raised.

He said the question should be asked as to where church leaders and matai, or village chiefs, are when such offences occur.

Tuilaepa told the Samoa Observer that some villagers hide sexual abuse cases out of shame, and they are only known after police are notified.