“In the wake of noteworthy sexual assault allegations in the government and Hollywood, the nation is being forced to reckon with the pervasiveness of gender-based violence. But for Pacific Islanders, a population that is small in the U.S. even for a minority group, the prevalence of assault and abuse is easily overlooked by agencies that serve entire cities or counties.”
Related Resources
Pacific Diaspora in the USA
This research report addresses the scarcity of data regarding Pacific Islander communities and presents research on the diaspora in the U.S. It seeks to understand who is the Pacific diaspora in the U.S., where they came from and where they are located; to examine the...
Samoa Community Project: Year One Report (2021-2022)
The Samoan Community Project builds on API-GBV’s Pasifika Power & Control Wheel Translation Project, which sought to adapt the well-used tool to Pasifika languages and cultural/community contexts. This report highlights the needs to unpack the Samoan words...
Pasifika Power & Control Wheel Translation Project, 2021
This project aimed to translate and develop educational resources and tools on GBV in indigenous Pasifika languages. The project aims to empower individuals, families, community-based and system responders, allied professionals, and the community-at-large with culturally responsive resources to address and prevent GBV in Pasifika communities. Resources include project report and glossaries and tools for Samoan, Chuukese, and Native Hawaiian communities.
Defining an Effective Response to DVSA in American Samoa
By American Samoa Alliance Against Domestic & Sexual Violence
A quantitative and qualitative comparison of the service provision and overall response to domestic violence and sexual assault in American Samoa. This project examines the gaps between what services are available and what victims report needing; it aims to answer, “What does an effective response to domestic violence and sexual assault look like in American Samoa?”
Fact Sheet: Pacific Islanders and Domestic & Sexual Violence, 2018
A compilation of statistics on domestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking, and help-seeking.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in the Pacific Islander Community, 2017
Erin Thomas, Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (DVRP)
An overview of the geographical, historical, ethno-linguistic, and cultural diversity of Pacific Islander communities; historical trauma; and GBV trends.
Assessing Gender-based Violence in Niue, 2017
Erin Thomas, International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination (ICCAD)
A community-needs assessment on gender-based violence in Niue based on a literature review and key interviews of Niueans.
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls – Evidence, Data and Knowledge in Pacific Island Countries, 2011
By U.N. Women
This literature review synthesizes material from the reports on violence against women in Pacific Island Countries and presents analysis of social contexts, challenges in addressing violence against women, the nature and extent of violence against women, accessing support services, access to justice for women and girls, and preventing violence against women.
By Katlyn Alo
Published in Peninsula Press
September 2018