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 further, to allow Samoan communities in their own respective social organizations, to discuss, unpack, critique, consider new, replace old, provide validation and even create more relevant terms that align within the current Samoan milieu as well as the issues associated with DV and GBV.

The initial translation project was intended to be used as a language resource for individuals and organizations across domestic violence and gender-based violence field. The Samoan translation of the Power and Control Wheel (PCW) only provided a word-for-word translation as well as some minimal cultural contextual considerations for each translated word(s). While this provided some direction and focus, there was paucity in the interface between the Samoan translated words and its application to the domestic violence (DV) and gender-based violence (GBV) problem in the Samoan diaspora living in the United States of America. The Samoan Community Project seeks to contribute to this gap.

Related Resources

Exploring the Cultural Contexts of Consent in AANHPI Communities

Exploring the Cultural Contexts of Consent in AANHPI Communities

AANHPI communities tend to be collective in nature, as well as hierarchical, to varying degrees. Both contexts complicate the concepts of consent and boundaries, especially for AANHPI youth and young adults, who often do not have opportunities to learn about the taboo...

Pacific Diaspora in the USA

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...

Pasifika Power & Control Wheel Translation Project, 2021

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.

Making Our Home and Community Safe: Responding to Afghan Evacuees

Making Our Home and Community Safe: Responding to Afghan Evacuees

Following the sudden withdrawal of U.S. military presence from Afghanistan nearly 100,000 Afghan refugees were evacuated to the United States, with many still remaining on U.S. military bases and resettlement to happen by the end of January 2022. Many evacuees now face uncertainty related to their immigration status, concern about families back in Afghanistan, and the challenge of acclimating to life in the U.S.

Complied by Dr. Michael Fusi Ligaliga

August 2022

Share this: