The most recent victim of domestic violence in Samoa died in the early hours of Saturday, December 24, 2022, after being shot.
The victim’s family challenges the usage of the term “de facto,” arguing that the couple was only dating and their daughter was still living with her mother and father. The victim’s ex-boyfriend has been arrested and charged with homicide, the police admit.
What happened to Mele Segisolo Lapana?
The most recent victim of domestic violence in Samoa was a police officer who was shot and died early on Saturday, December 24, 2022.
The victim’s family rejects the term “de facto,” contending that the couple was dating and their daughter was still residing with her parents. The de facto partner of the victim has been arrested and charged with murder, according to the police.
Mele Segisolo Lapana was remembered as a devoted friend, a kindhearted person, and an outgoing person who would be sadly lost by many on social media in the flood of condolence posts.
Her older sister, a registered nurse, posts from New Zealand to highlight their family’s extreme difficulty. She is the youngest of the group.
Or you can leiloa pe faapefea ona faagalo oe, as in “as a faagalo oe si ou uso e pele I lou fatu.” “Our parents pray day and night for you to be safe in your work [as a police officer], but this is how you’ve been taken from us,” the child said. On behalf of the heartbroken Lapana family, many individuals have pleaded for “Justice for Mele” or “justice4mele.”
Mele Segisolo Lapana cause of death
Police initially posted on Facebook on Saturday morning that “the de facto partner of the Police Officer was being interviewed” over the incident.
The officer’s partner was allegedly charged with murder a few hours later, according to a police update report on Christmas Eve. (Nothing concerning the usage of the term “de facto partner” by the police.)
Suspect’s Criminal History
The pair allegedly engaged in domestic violence, and the accused showed evidence of oppressive conduct and severe jealousy. The accused is also a former police officer, according to sources. The police state that the accused is being remanded in custody “and will do so until the 30 January 2023 for mention in Court.”
Suspect’s Motive
The victim’s older sister informed SGN that although she was aware that her younger sister’s boyfriend had been abusing her for a while, she was afraid to tell anybody for fear that he would threaten her with a gun. Muavae Janson contends that various concerns, including gun ownership, drug use, particularly methamphetamine in Samoa, and gun restrictions, should be considered concerning her sister’s tragedy.
“I’ve seen posts in the past that show he is on narcotics,” asserts Muavae.
While residing at Fasitoo Uta with her husband’s family, a woman from Siumu and Salailua passed away earlier this month.
Autopsy reports
The victim’s face was covered with cuts, and there were apparent bruises under her chin, according to Deputy Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti, who briefed the media during a news conference. At the time, police said they had not yet made any arrests and were awaiting the results of an autopsy.
UNODC and UN Women report
A recent UNODC and UN Women report estimates that in 2021, an average of five women or girls were killed by a member of their own family every hour. The Report serves as a horrific reminder of how prevalent violence against women and girls is around the globe.
The actions that sustain Power and Control and the Cycle of Violence are among the fundamental issues that Samoa’s efforts to end violence against women and girls and domestic abuse of children typically fail to address.
Other misconceptions supporting pervasive viewpoints include incorrectly applied cultural and religious principles to defend gender-based domestic and intimate partner violence.
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