Police check out violence case raised at Apia summit

The Samoan police say they will look into an alleged rape case brought up before dignitaries at a Commonwealth conference in the country's capital this week.

RNZ reports a Samoan woman recounted her experience as a victim of domestic violence at a discussion on human rights alleging serious failures by the police to enforce a protection order.

The Samoa Victim Support Group's Muliaga Teli Siliniu Lina Chang said they filed a complaint with police on behalf of the woman earlier this week.

A police spokesperson Su'a Muliaga Tiumalu said he had no knowledge of the case but would check it out.

He said protection orders are seriously enforced by the police.

"If the protection order conditions were not followed by police officers then they are liable to any prosecution and then the matter will be referred to the professional standards unit of the police for investigations. If there is sufficient evidence then that police officer will be taken to court and be prosecuted."

 

Samoa Police Superintendent Su'a Muliaga Tiumalu speaking to media at the force's weekly press conference in Apia Photo:RNZI/Sally Round