SAMOA VICTIM SUPPORT GROUP

HELPLINE

+685 800 7874

SVSG Community

An overview of the roles we play and their descriptions

1. Community Services Division

The Community Services arm of SVSG ensures that vulnerable individuals and families across
Samoa receive timely, holistic, and culturally appropriate support.

Core Functions:

Provide direct community support: Address welfare needs, wellbeing checks,
emergency assistance, and referrals for victims, families, or at-risk individuals.
Coordinate village-based services: Work closely with Village Reps and community
leaders to identify needs, monitor cases, and ensure safety within the village
environment.
Deliver outreach services: Conduct home visits, follow-up assessments, and
community-based interventions to ensure continuous support.
Strengthen community resilience: Facilitate programs that build stronger, safer, and
more informed villages capable of preventing and responding to violence.
Collaborate with government and NGOs: Link clients to health, legal, education,
justice, and social welfare services as needed.

2. Awareness & Prevention Programs

This function focuses on educating communities and shifting mindsets to break the cycle of violence and improve wellbeing.

Core Functions:

Public awareness campaigns: Develop and deliver awareness sessions on domestic violence, child protection, gender equality, mental health, cyber safety, human trafficking, and other social issues.
School and youth programs: Engage schools, youth groups, churches, and sports groups to promote positive behaviour, respect, and safe relationships.
Community outreach: Facilitate village-wide awareness programs in partnership with Village Reps, churches, women’s committees, and matai councils.
Advocacy: Promote understanding of rights, responsibilities, and the importance of reporting violence.
Resource development: Create educational materials, media content, and tools that support community learning and behaviour change

3. Capacity Building & Training

This area focuses on strengthening the capacity of communities, SVSG volunteers, and partner agencies to respond effectively to violence and social challenges.

Core Functions:

Training for Village Reps: Deliver ongoing training on case management, referrals, safeguarding, ethical conduct, and SVSG policies.
Building skills within families and communities: Offer training in conflict resolution, positive parenting, financial literacy, safety planning, and resilience.
Professional development: Equip SVSG staff and volunteers with technical skills, trauma-informed approaches, and updated knowledge relevant to their roles.
Partnership-building: Facilitate joint training and workshops with government ministries, police, health services, and NGOs to strengthen coordination.
Program evaluation: Monitor and assess training outcomes to ensure continuous improvement and relevance

4. Collaboration & Community Engagement

This unit ensures strong and meaningful partnerships that enhance SVSG’s reach and impact.

Core Functions:

Engage village governance structures: Work with village councils, women’s committees, church leaders, and youth bodies to strengthen local protective systems.
Strengthen referral pathways: Ensure smooth communication and coordination between SVSG, Village Reps, and stakeholders.
Facilitate community dialogues: Encourage open discussions on sensitive topics such as violence, addictions, youth risks, and cultural challenges.
Promote inclusive services: Ensure participation of children, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups in all community initiatives.

5. Monitoring, Reporting & Accountability

Ensures that community programs are driven by data, aligned with policies, and accountable to donors and communities.

Core Functions:

Record and report program activities: Document awareness sessions, training activities, case referrals, outreach services, and community engagements.
Track community needs and trends: Identify emerging risks, gaps, and patterns to guide program planning and resource allocation.
Ensure compliance: Adhere to SVSG policies, safeguarding standards, and donor requirements.
Provide feedback: Share updates with SVSG leadership and partners to strengthen program effectiveness.