ONLINE BULLYING IN SAMOA RESULTS IN TRAGEDY

** Trigger Warning - this story that you're about to read contains references to topics such as cyber bullying and youth suicide ** 

A recent family tragedy has highlighted the need for greater awareness and positive action, writes Nah Folasa.

Just this week our family was devastated by the suicide of my 15 year old cousin. Her crime: A victim of on line bullying. 

Like most Samoan families we live close. There is always an intergenerational mix around the dinner table, we share our love, food, land and resources and we help one another.

As a family we cannot ever understand the hopelessness which she must have felt and the only way to escape this harassment was to take her own life. We never contemplated that this would ever occur in our family. How could a smart, loving, attractive and popular girl with a bright future ahead could ever contemplate such a drastic resolution of a personal crisis?

We are frustrated that there are people in her circle who inflicted this bullying on her and are directly responsible for her death.

As the founder and President of the Logopoualii Samoa Youth Organisation and a trained counsellor I am familiar with these issues and have always been available to help, assist and offer comfort. A voice to chat in private and work through issues. 

I am personslly devastated that in spite of all my knowledge and training I never once saw any sign of a need for help. I could never have anticipated that such a tragedy would fall upon our family. 

In your honour my dear cousin I have pledged to help eliminate the curse of bullying in Samoa.

WHAT IS CYBER-BULLYING?

Cyber bullying is a relatively new phenomenon but an age old issue. The bully has their own problems yet takes  some joy in harassing others who they view as weaker, inferior or simply fair game. 

Unlike direct confrontation, cyberbullying can be anonymous to some extent with the perpetrator hiding behind an app on a mobile phone. It is an aggressive, malicious and repeated harassment.

The victim can made to feel unwanted, excluded, shamed or embarrassed in front of their piers. It may be verbal or graphic, it may involve physical threats or it may simply be spreading rumours using digital technology.

Being digital information it can be shared quickly and automatically, stored in multiple and secured locations and remains as a permanent record.

Schools and homes may be safe environments but cyber-bullying can penetrate these havens and can happen at any time. Removing or restricting access to mobile phones is unlikely to prevent the bullying from persisting.  Rather it is likely to make the victim feel even more isolated. 

WHAT CAN I DO?

While the incidence of suicide in all its forms in Samoa is numerically low, it still happens to a greater extent than expected. 

The Logopoualii Samoa Youth Organisation (LSYO) is committed to helping youth, providing support and guidance, confidential counselling and being an advocate for youth issues.

We offer a 24 hour youth hotline with trained counsellors available to talk through any issue. We run awareness programs on a host of youth related topics such as teenage pregnancy, binge drinking,  drug taking and dealing with unemployment. 

My recent personal experience has brought issues into clearer focus. As individuals and as a group we need to work harder, develop new strategies, engage with our health and police departments and be more pro active in eliminating this curse.

There are two main streams. Firstly we need to address the "bully". We need to be able to stop cyber bullying - period. We need to tecognise this as a criminal offence. And we perhaps need to counsel the bully to better understand the motivation behind the cruel attacks and help resolve their own issues. 

Secondly we need to engage with the victims or potential victims well before the thought of suicide ever occurs. 

Suicide awareness is part of a broader awareness program to identify signs of bullying, reporting such acts and supporting victims. Families, guardians, teachers and churches all need greater awareness and involvement. As do siblings and relatives.

The LSYO has organised a run called "Run For Your Life" as an immediate public awareness raising exercise. However you can expect to see more about this issue as our campaign expands. We welcome your support and sharing.

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If you’re feeling upset by a similar situation and need to talk to someone, you can contact the following helplines for free in Samoa:

And New Zealand:

• Lifeline: 0800 543 354
• Need to talk? Call or text 1737
• Samaritans: 0800 726 666
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757
• Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234
• Netsafe helpline for advice and information about sextortion on 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723) 

For information on keeping your kids safe online and information and advice about cyberbullying for young people, parents and teachers www.netsafe.org.nz/report

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Va'ai Nah Folasa is a journalist for EyeSpy Radio in Samoa and in this case writes in his capacity as the Logopuialii Samoa youth Organization President.