There is concern in American Samoa that victims of violence are being silenced and their needs are not being advocated.
The American Samoa Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence believes family, church and culture can be manipulated to prevent the voices of victims from being heard, despite them being tools to end violence.
The Chairman of the NGO, Reverend Tafailematagi Muasau conveyed the theme at the opening of the organisation's first home last week.
"Out of the concern for our culture, our pride, our shame; out of the concern for our churches and our families, their names and their reputations, we tend to supress the victims and bribe them into silence."
