Women's groups in Samoa want to extend anger management courses throughout the year to quell high rates of domestic violence.
People in Samoa have been offered free anger management and self defence courses for the next fortnight as part of an international campaign against gender violence known as Sixteen Days of Activism.
Papali'i Dr Viopapa Annandale of the Pan-Pacific and Southeast Asia Women's Association says much domestic violence is based on instant expression of anger.
She says a number of NGOs are working together to raise awareness especially at village level.
"A lot of people here tend to react very quickly so we're trying to help people who are faced with the potential to cause harm to somebody else to stop and think, to take a breath and to look at why they feel anger and all the various steps to stop them from causing harm to somebody else."
Papali'i Dr Viopapa Annandale says the courses are aimed at males and females of all ages.
