Headline yesterday read “Family of attempted rape victim banished’. A church minister tried to rape a fifteen year old girl who later sought refuge at the Samoa Victim Support Group. Her family has been banished from their village. So, let me get this straight, the victim and her family are banished and the faifeau who tried to rape her stays?

Who wants to drop the case and stop investigations by police about this matter? Wait for it. The girl’s own father. What rubbish is this? Her own father wants to sweep this under the carpet? Where is her mother? You’d think that as a parent, he would do everything possible to bring justice to his baby girl, protect her and make sure nothing like this happens to any other daughter, niece or girl in the family.

Thank God that this has already been thought of at court, the case will no longer be dropped because we have a ‘no drop policy’ for such cases. This came into effect not long ago too. Carry on the investigation and bring the rapist to justice if it did happen. When someone in authority abuses their power and preys on young girls, my thought is always about how long this has been going on, that this is not the first time.

He probably succeeded many times before and because people are afraid to go against faifeaus, politicians, mayors and people of influence, they go on to rape and abuse so many more victims. Victims are already scared of speaking out and then more afraid to protect their own families and what a burden, responsibility to put on the shoulders of a child!

They are already trying to make sense of their own bodies and their own little worlds. They are living and learning every day about who they are. They are not adults and cannot relate and understand most things at this stage. Most have never heard of sex before and have no knowledge of what to do in these situations. Rape, sexual assault, molestation and domestic violence are such a norm to us!

How is this okay? Her father who is supposed to be her protector is instead protecting the faifeau? I am sure he is also fearful of the consequences and cannot face the village people. There is no shame in exposing a rapist regardless of who he is. Whatever he stands for and whoever he works for doesn’t matter. What matters is justice for the victims, counselling must be in place and loving this innocent child whose life will be forever changed at the hands of a selfish, sick and perverted man.

A man is supposed to believe and protect his child at all costs. He is supposed to be her rock during this most difficult time. Do these men even understand their role as fathers and protectors? Gosh, why do we have to deal with these again and again?

Sexual predators are everywhere. They are our neighbours, babysitters, cousins, fathers, brothers, teachers and anyone with a male part capable of grooming and violating girls. Yes, men! Grown men who either have been hurt boys or men who are addicted to pornography, sex and any vile thing for their quick and insatiable gratification. The headlines will always remain because we live in such a world.

What is Samoa doing about this? Are we warning and educating our girls and boys about these issues? Or are we just saints and acting like we don’t know anything about sexual education? Isn’t it time we talk about these taboo issues with our children so they are aware and know what to do in these situations? Start with telling your children about their private time, body and that they can talk to you about anything. That you have no secrets, that whatever they tell you will be safe and that they will not be punished. Have a great week Samoa and please think about these things while we are working away and while we leave our children in the hands of those who are capable of evil. Everyone must face the consequences of their actions. No one is above the law.