Fathers condemn violence

By Adel Fruean 14 August 2018, 12:00AM

A group of fathers have united and condemned violence in families and homes as they gathered to mark Father’s Day celebrations in Samoa.

The Samoa Victim Support Group (S.V.S.G.) advocacy program participants and alumni met in a conference room in town to mark the day and used the occasion to share songs, stories and poems that revolved around the theme “standing up against anger”.

Most of the participants said the rehabilitation program run by S.V.S.G. was a wake-up call for them and a chance to start afresh as reformed men and agents of change.

The S.V.S.G. advocacy program participant, Talosaga Sio, dedicated a poem to anger management and emphasized the need for self control. 

“My poem is dedicated to anger management, meaning to resort in peace not anger and violence.

“The main reason for most families to undergo violence in their homes is through anger issues. 

“Fathers need to control their tempers, for there is so much damage not only physically but emotionally and mentally when violence has been inflicted on others especially mothers and the children,” she said.

Volunteer program facilitator Fiu Leaupepe, who spoke on behalf of the S.V.S.G. president, acknowledged the positive change that their reformed male members were driving when standing up to violence.

She also added that there is a saying: “Where there is love, there is no anxiety, but should there be any anxiety, it is painless”. 

Alumni chairman, Pastor Fa’alili Pepe Ofisa, expressed his gratitude to all the fathers who got  recognized and honored.

“Fathers that are currently in the advocacy program have experienced so many new changes and most of it is positive. It is all for a greater cause, their lives to have more meaning and to have a positive effect on their families. 

“Fathers lead in both homes and communities; they should set good examples by being peace keepers everywhere,” he said.

The S.V.S.G. Advocacy Program focuses on anger management, stress management, drugs and alcohol management and it caters to those that have been referred from court.

By Adel Fruean 14 August 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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