Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa’s Alliance Against Domestic & Sexual Violence (a.k.a. Alliance) has been selected by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women to participate in the National Advocacy Learning Center.

The team includes Mona Uli, executive director, Back on Track; Dr. Celestine Faumuina-Nix, assistant director, Children & Family Services Division of the Department of Human and Social Services; Fara Sefo, victim advocate, Attorney General’s Office; and Jennifer Tofaeono, executive director, Alliance.

Praxis International offers the Advocacy Learning Center (ALC) in partnership with the Office on Violence Against Women. The 18-month course is designed to strengthen how advocacy programs engage with survivors, address institutional responses to violence against women, and involve the community in ending violence. Team members travel to three in-person events and participate in numerous distance learning activities. The first training session was held July 9-12 in Minnesota, Minneapolis. 

"It's a privilege to be a part of this 18-month Advocacy Learning Center,” said attendee Mona Uli, “and the combination of our team which includes the Alliance, DHSS, and the Attorney General's office.  A unique and strategic move for our territory which is limited in resources, so working together to build collaboration and strengthen systems."

The Alliance was selected as one of only 13 programs in the new class. They join 308 programs who have participated in the ALC.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that one in five women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime and one in three women will be a victim of domestic violence. The programs participating in the ALC are working to end sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, prostitution, and human trafficking. The Alliance work includes promoting primary prevention regarding domestic & sexual violence, to consist of education and awareness.  We provide technical assistance support to our member organizations to eliminate domestic & sexual violence in American Samoa.

Everyone in the community has a role to play in ending violence against women. For more information, contact the Alliance at 684-699-0272 or email at: asadsv@gmail.com