The Samoa Vic t ims Support Group (S.V.S.G) celebrated “A decade of transformation” with a parade on Beach Road yesterday.
The march was led by prominent doctor, Professor Dr. Satupa’itea Viali, who led hundreds of supporters during the celebration.
In front of the government building, the Head of State, His Highness TuiAtua Tupua Tamasese Efi, the Masiofo, Her Highness Filifilia Tamasese and Member of the Council of Deputies, Tuimaleali’ifano Sualauvi II greeted the marchers.
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Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, congratulated the Samoa Victim Support Group for its work in the community.
“In 2005, the S.V.S.G was set up with a limited purpose and that was to provide for victims of sexual offending,” Tuilaepa said.
“Ten years ago, our people decided that enough was enough, any form of violence or abuse against the children was not to be tolerated.
“In this last ten years, our people have reason up to fight against this violence. S.V.S.G has been the messenger for the Samoan community in this last decade.
“The decade saw changes despite public criticism and many challenges.”
Her Highness Filifilia Tamasese cut the cake to kick off the celebration.
The theme for the 10th year anniversar y is “A Decade of Transformation.”
Today, S.V.S.G will open its new office building, followed by a public forum.
Other activities planned for the week include a Walkathon, Family Fun Day and the Amazing Race on Saturday. The finale will be a Corporate Ball to be held at the Namu’a Food Court on Saturday night.
HISTORY OF S.V.S.G
The first sanctuary was established in Moto’otua in 2005 with the help of our Government in the form of state housing.
It soon became overcrowded with little space for the children to sleep and in such the Government allocated the second house in 2009.
The children’s House of Hope was built with the help of the Rotary Club of surfers, Sunrise from the Gold Coast of Australia in 2012 on Government land at Tuanaimato and it’s a sanctuary that has been maintained and sustained with the partnership of the Church of the Latter Day Saints and the many donations from the local and overseas communities.
The School of Hope was later built for the children in 2013.
A friend of the S.V.S.G from Gold Coast in Australia again helps in building this school.
The Ministry of Education has helped out with sustaining the school.
The campus of hope was established and continues to grow and another donor and friend of the S.V.S.G Janice Branhum from the Gold Coast Australia is funding the nursery shelter currently constructed on the campus of hope.
In S.V.S.G’s partnership with Digicel, another building in the works will start later this year to house young victims who are pregnant.
Over the last ten years S.V.S.G have also established a circle of village representatives known as village reps. and they have been responsible for many of the works and achievements of S.V.S.G to date. A 24 hour free help line service was established in 2013 with the help of Digicel and Blue Sky with funding from the U.N Women Regional Project.
A S.V.S.G of f i c e was established with the assistance of the Government of Samoa and the Government and the People of Japan.
A working relationship with the Ministry of Police and S.V.S.G was established as the work of the S.V.S.G is very much a support to the work of police.
A working relationship between the judiciary was established as its work is very much in support with the justice sector.
A working relationship with the office of the Attorney General was also established as the victims under the care of S.V.S.G are also to be witnesses for the prosecution cases. A recent development is the working relationship between the Youth Court and the Family Court.
A S.V. S . G room was established in the Court House with the assistance of the Ministry of Justice and the Law and Justice Sector.
The tenth anniversary celebration is therefore for all of our community in Samoa and overseas to come together and congratulate themselves for what they have achieved.
For the achievements in the last ten years are not the achievements of the S.V.S.G but the achievements of all Samoans and our friends from other countries who took it upon themselves, to have the courage to stand up and transform a dream into something real.
The Government of Samoa has provided solid support and resources in every term on the way.
Let us now celebrate the decade of transformation today.
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