Why We Love the Samoa Victim Support Group

A 23 year old mother was beaten by her husband and her 2 week old child was hospitalized.  A 40 year old mother was raped by a man in her village.  A 7 year old child sustained severe injuries to his face after being beaten by his father.  A 16 year old was impregnated by her step father and now no longer goes to school. 

These were just some of the cases that the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) has assisted with in January of this year.  There are more cases of abuse and violence that are silenced to the nightmares of the victims.

The SVSG’s mission is “to advocate, support, care, protect, and ensure that all victims who come forward will never be turned away.”

Without core funding the Samoa Victims Support Group have moved forward and assisted hundreds of victims of violence to find their voice and be heard.

Today SVSG has supporters all over the world with SVSG chapters in Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney.  We are happy to be a part of the launch of the SVSG Melbourne chapter on Saturday 23^rd April, 2016.

Lina Chang, SVSG President, is currently in Melbourne for the launch.  I was lucky to get to spend some time with her and not just hear, but feel the passion she has for the work that she does.  The love she has for the children in her care can be seen in her face and heard in the stories she proudly shares of children she has helped escape horrific cases of violence and abuse.

The SVSG Melbourne launch will also be the beginning of the House of Strength project.  This house will be built in Samoa as a dedicated building as a residence for the children with disabilities who have been abandoned and left in the care of the SVSG.

The SVSG Melbourne chapter will also work locally in Melbourne to raise awareness, be the change and to be the voice of the voiceless.

Measina always love to hear of stories where Samoans are helping other Samoans and we wanted to share the SVSG Melbourne story with you all. 

If you would like to attend the SVSG Melbourne Launch please contact Pei on 0400158923 or Anthony on 0416894411.  You can also like their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/svsgmelbourne/timeline