The Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) is preparing for a nation-wide road trip covering Upolu, Savaii and Manono-tai, in a hopeful and thanksgiving Campaign, titled, The Torch of Peace Journey.

The journey is scheduled for 10 days from 30 October to 10 November 2023.

According to the SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang, it has been 18 years for the SVSG to have served Samoa as a service provider for victims of gender based violence , and rehabilitative support for offenders of gender-based violence.

“The Torch of Peace is adopted as a meaningful and impactful GBV awareness initiative, and a means of saying Thank you Samoa for being on board with us throughout the years,” she said.

“While statistics on cases of violence indicated an upward trend in light of the COVID-19 pandemic while the brutality of violence committed against women have led to death for some, as a strong advocate of violence free families and communities, SVSG continues to remain hopeful.

“Putting the Spotlight on the Torch of Peace is therefore, SVSG’s effort to raise the visibility on community solidarity, community engagement and community action to address GBV to date, with an emphasis on violence against the most vulnerable, usually women and children.”

According to SVSG, the Torch of Peace 2023 symbolizes hope, peace and light for a community that has come a long way from the silent acceptance of GBV - which has been apparent in Samoa in the past - towards vocal and visual community solidarity and action.

The torch acknowledges progress we have made as a community, together with the support of government and development partners, to ensure a safer Samoa

It highlights a journey of faith by a nation, grounded in its Christian beliefs and cultural values, that despite the social, health, environmental and economic challenges, we remain stronger together.

The torch builds the momentum for continued action, as set down ten years ago by the SVSG Torch of Peace journey of 2012

The SVSG village representatives around the country have been mobilising their village councils, churches, women’s committee, untitled men’s group, nofotane group and youth groups to take part and embrace the Torch for the message it brings.

According to the SVSG, some villages, churches and theological colleges have set up torch stands within their communities, awaiting the Torch of Peace.

Schools along the torch’s journey are contributing by drawing positive messages with selected students representing the schools to take part in passing the Torch along the way. The private and business sectors are accepting invitations to become Torch Bearers from Day 1 on 30 October up until the last leg of the journey on 10 November 2023.

The ceremony to officially light the Torch of Peace on 30 October 2023 will be held along the Beach Road, down from the SVSG Main Office in Apia.