Children have been going missing every month since December last year with the Police appealing for the community's assistance. Reporter Cedric Ah Colt and Photographer Kitiona Utuva talked to the public and asked them for their thoughts.

Cecilia Wulf, 38, Faleula.

“To me, this issue happened before and I remember knowing and discovering the cases. I was a victim of domestic violence and I believe that violence in families can be a factor in children running away from their families. To address this I suggest and recommend every parent to go easy on their children. They have feelings and they all deserve to be loved as they are expecting. As a young mother, I always blame the mothers because the children are closer to her than the father. I believe that one day Samoa will be facing this issue every day and week because our children are not taken care of.”

Tenari Leilua, 22, Mulifanua.

“The members of the public especially the elders, do not really know how young teenage males and females think. On the same note, I do understand them. They are a part of my generation and I believe that they run away because of the wants and needs to be loved by their soul mates or partners. I was a teenager before I became an adult, I know how strongly teenagers love and care that even their families can be sacrificed. In the long run, I hope teenagers consider this problem because while they run away from their families, he or she spends a lot of time with their partners while both their families are worrying. I hope this street talk will be a wake-up call for the youth of Samoa because as far as I see, loving is not bad. But the consequences the parents could face for their children's missteps should also be considered."

Fetaia’i Falelua Tauga Loau, 56, Faleula.

“I blame the mothers of these missing children. I blame them because mothers are more closer to their children than fathers. She is supposed to talk and discuss whatever problems and wants that their children are facing or may have. As a matter of fact, the majority of men in Samoa go to work while the mothers are always updated with their children. My only feedback is that I wish to see the change everyone wants to see. This change includes the lifestyle of the children and their strive to improve. As for mothers, a real parent’s responsibility lies on the mother because from all teachers every child is being taught, their mothers are always the first teachers.”

Aega Sivanila, 30, Vaitele Fou.

“Technologies have influenced the world including Samoa. From my perspective, I have a feeling that more couples meet online than meet physically. In this case, the boyfriends or girlfriends force their partners to run away with them to settle or stay away for some time. In other words, running away and sneaking out are possibly done with the help of mobile phones and social media. Anyhow, I believe that they are in the wrong environment or they are mistreated by their families because, if they are treated well then why would they run away?”