It is a sin to commit injustice but a greater sin to tolerate injustice. If one continues tolerating the injustice being done now, it gives the offenders the courage to continue with their sins and there shall be no end.

This goes for the culture of silence that the community has adopted about not reporting certain crimes that they think would bring an ill reputation. Last week a 71-year-old man was sentenced to 22 years in jail for raping two granddaughters.

The difference in this case from other sexual offence cases we have seen is that the matter was reported to the police as soon as it was known. This was a betrayal of trust in the most depraving way.

It is a crime that sends shockwaves. Heinous does not come close to the actions of this man. The court has rightfully imposed a lengthy sentence to deter such crimes.

While the lengthy sentences would make perpetrators think twice about their actions, the fact remains that they keep on happening. The culture of silence which many Samoan families practice, is because they fear shame comes to the family if such a crime is reported.

This culture of silence can no longer be tolerated. If we are to protect our children and young women, there is a need to speak up against such behaviour irrespective of the social standing of the perpetrator. The village council and the chiefs have to change their mindsets as well.

For too long we have seen innocent families banished because they have spoken out against chiefs or people with high social standings. Village councils need to act following the law. This is one of the many reasons why many families and individuals are scared to speak out about such crimes.

This is the stigma families have to deal with and most opt not to report the matter to the police. Firstly, they feel great shame has fallen on the family and then there is a fear that the village will banish the whole family.

Three months ago, another Supreme Court senior judge, Justice Vui Clarence Nelson sentenced a 40-year-old man to 15 years in jail for raping his 13-year-old daughter on multiple occasions.

He called such acts as a national shame.

As the court passed its sentence, Judge Justice Vui Clarence Nelson stated that the epidemics of dengue fever and other diseases come and go in Samoa but the epidemic of sexual offending by older men on innocent young females continues to hold this country in its grip.

The most number of cases being dealt with by the court are sexual offences and in most cases, the perpetrators are known to the victims, who are often children. Such is the decay gripping society but instead of dealing with it, the matter is never spoken of because it will bring ‘shame’ to the family.

What of the trauma suffered by the child victims? There are 85 children at the Campus of Hope and there are more than that whose cases have not been reported because it would bring shame to the family.

The churches need to step up their game. A few weeks ago Malua Theological College said they are teaching priests in training to deal with social issues. The school talked about meth and deportees, what about sexual violence in homes? Is this not a social problem, one of the biggest that we see happening in our little nation?

Churches need to look at the issue. They need to deal with this pandemic that is morally and spiritually corrupting. It is simply evil and if that is the case all churches in Samoa have a role to play in ensuring the safety of girls in their own homes.

The fear of that shame has been ruining the lives of the children of Samoa and such predatory behaviour by older men goes unpunished.

If statistics of sexual offences are looked at, most perpetrators are known to the victim. Just ask the police officers who deal with sexual offences or look at the sentences given by the court.

Just because we continue to pretend that there is not a problem, does not mean that the problem has gone away.

Wake up Samoa, and do something about this evil, these heinous acts that are destroying lives and families.