Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA  — Yesterday marked another milestone in increasing our local capacity to respond to sexual assault in American Samoa with 17 participants completing 20 hours of Sexual Assault Advocate and Counselor (SAAC) training. Coordinated by the Empowering Pacific Island Communities nonprofit, individuals and service providers from the government as well as faith-based organizations completed seven modules of training focused on sexual assault. Tim Logan and Kendra Hughes from SoValTi launched the SAAC training in August 2019 along with training for the American Samoa Coordinated Community Response.

Dr. Jueta McCutchan, Clinical Psychologist provided training on the Neurobiology of Trauma and Sexual Assault and described the Impact of Sexual Assault in our community. She emphasized the connection between our neurobiology and the impact on a person’s response to trauma. Dr. McCutchan urged providers and community volunteers to use a trauma-informed approach when working with victims and survivors.

Brown Girl Woke’s Doris Tulifau facilitated sessions on Campus Sexual Assault and Robert Toelupe, LCSW carefully guided the group through a session on understanding the Effects of Sexual Assault on Males, a topic which is often difficult and challenging for our community to discuss. Victim Advocates from the Department of Legal Affairs Farrah Sefo and Faith Fuimaono facilitated a module on common advocacy situations referencing their work experience within the context of the current service system in American Samoa.

To wrap up the training, EPIC contracted with Vanessa Jackson, LCSW of Healing Circles, Atlanta, Georgia to provide sessions on Recovery Education and Skills Training, Compassion Fatigue and Self Care.

Ms. Jackson has over 20 years of experience as a clinician, therapist, author and trainer working with minority populations and promoting the integration of traditional healing practices to help survivors through their journey to recovery. The national curriculum was developed by the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center and was customized for our community by local trainers and professionals from the field.

The 17 participants came from all walks of life and career paths. Agencies represented in the first cohort include ASCC, LBJ Human Resources Office, Catholic Social Services, Attorney General’s Office in addition to community-service and faith-based organizations.

EPIC presented each advocate with a toolkit of flyers, posters and information cards promoting Hotlines, Crisis Lines and numbers to call when someone is in crisis and needs help. All the public education materials are available in both English and Samoan and are free for community distribution.

Advocates are empowered with information and resources they can use to inform, guide and direct anyone in the community who has been victimized by sexual assault to agencies who can help. Advocates are messengers of hope and will serve as a bridge between victims and their families and service agencies standing ready to respond. If anyone is interested in the next training, contact Saipai Cassens or the EPIC office at 699-7923.