Apia, 6 April 2023 (TDI): District Court of New Zealand visited the Campus of Hope’s youth survivors of gender-based violence in Samoa. The delegation includes top attorneys and judges.
The Samoa Law Society’s President, Alex Su’a, and associates escorted the visitors to the Campus, organized by the Samoa Law Society.
The tour was part of the delegation’s Trial Advocacy instruction for the Samoa Law Society, which took place on April 5 and 6, 2023.
Members of the campus extended a warm greeting to the New Zealand contingent and held a meeting during which Siliniu Lina Chang, President of the SVSG; Samoa Victim Support Group, joined the survivors’ children in bringing the group to campus.
The visiting team voiced a strong desire to observe Samoa’s victim support systems, criminal justice programs, and facilities to acquire a more personal and first-hand understanding of these systems.
Alex Su’a said, “The visit will undoubtedly help the visiting Honourable Judges and their delegation gain valuable insights and knowledge that they can bring back to their work in New Zealand.”
He also thanked President Siliniu, for providing this invaluable opportunity to visit and observe the victim support systems in Samoa.
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The SVSG is a nonprofit organization that offers help and support to community members who are most in need and victims of gender-based abuse.
Through its free 24-hour helpline, the organization provides a variety of services, such as counseling, judicial aid, and emergency assistance.
SVSG continues to support gender-based violence victims who had the fortitude to come forward through the Helpline.
The public is reminded that “gender-based violence does not differentiate,” according to SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang. It affects people of all ages, genders, and countries.
The good news is that we can address it once we acknowledge and recognize that it is not a private problem but rather a collective obligation.
