The Samoa Victim Support Group’s child safeguarding policy is being reviewed by experts from Australia to strengthen the perimeters of child protection at the Campus of Hope.

The refuge at Tuanaimato is home to more than 60 child survivors of physical and sexual abuse and the S.V.S.G. has welcomed the experts to undertake the review of its processes. The non-profit organisation believes that it will benefit from the expert assistance courtesy of friends visiting from Australia, who comprise a child protection manager, a mental health recovery officer, a social worker and two paramedics.

The S.V.S.G. President, Siliniu Lina Chang welcomed the arrival of the Australian experts and their work reviewing their policy. 

“They are here for two weeks to provide on-the-ground support at the Campus of Hope shelter facility, for the child protection team working with the children,” she said. “This week has been allocated to working with the child protection team at the SVSG main office in Apia, going over the group’s child safeguarding policy review and relevant processes.

“There was a lot of learning as we discussed the need for ongoing review of child safeguarding, the responsibilities and risks inherent in the child protection work provided by S.V.S.G.”

As a child-safe organisation, S.V.S.G. will ensure that resources are allocated to strengthen its child safeguarding processes and practices to meet national and development partner requirements, for child protection compliance.

“Thank you so much Sebastian and Stephen Aiono for coordinating such a timely visit to support S.V.S.G. where relevant,” added Siliniu.

“Your sincerity in supporting S.V.S.G. to improve the capacity of its personnel to implement its child protection and safeguarding work for the children of Samoa is greatly appreciated.”