Last Thursday, a drunk driver rammed his vehicle through the main gate of the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) Campus Of Hope, and continued to drive recklessly through the compound.
The incident happened while the children were getting ready to go sleep, confirms a statement from SVSG.
“We thank God that the children are all safe.”
“The counselling team was called in to ensure the psychological safety of the children.
Thanks to the Church Ministers, the Sisters from the nearby Convent, village communities, volunteers and visiting supporters from overseas, the Campus has been well patrolled..”
Deputy Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti confirmed to SGN that the driver was under the influence of alcohol.
He has been charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and reckless driving causing damage to property, and will appear in Court later this month to face the charges against him.
The Campus of Hope compound, located next to the Police Outpost in Tuanaimato, is the only shelter facility in Samoa that provides care for young victims of abuse, under the care of the SVSG.
It houses over 100 children, most of them awaiting the court process for sexual and domestic violence crimes against them. Also within the gated compound is a shelter for women victims of intimate partner violence, and their children. For teenage victims of rape, their babies are born while in the care of SVSG, and are nurtured from birth at the campus of hope.
