15 Oct 2018

Samoa's domestic violence victims 'need private treatment areas'

4:46 pm on 15 October 2018

Samoa's Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Women's Affairs says the victims of domestic violence should be allowed private designated areas at hospitals to seek treatment.

Domestic violence

Photo: 123RF

Samoa Observer reported Afamasaga Fa'auiga Palepua Mulitalo wants to make sure relevant government agencies work together to address the absence of such facilities in hospitals.

She believes hospital staff should be empowered to provide these services and ensure victims have immediate access to treatment and support services.

And she doesn't see it as something hard to achieve if the relevant agencies work together to review resource availability as well as ensuring there are enough doctors and nurses who are well trained in dealing with these matters.

"It's something that we need to make sure that women feel comfortable enough to seek help and get treated if they are being abused," said Afamasaga.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs