National fono for Pasifika family and sexual violence practitioners

Dr Elizabeth Mati, Denise Kingi-‘Ulu’ave, Charles Lavea, Luseane Valu, Hidoria Onesemo-Tuilaepa

Le Va Chief Executive, Denise Kingi-‘Ulu’ave, and members of our Atu-Mai team were pleased to attend the inaugural National Pacific Practitioners FVSV Fono in Auckland in early July.

Organised by practitioners for practitioners, the focus of the fono was to build and strengthen connections amongst Pacific FVSV (family violence and sexual violence)  practitioners and enable them to be better supported in their roles.

General manager of Le Va, clinical psychologist Dr Elizabeth Mati, delivered an insightful presentation on ‘Nurturing our children – preventing child sexual abuse in Pasifika communities’ at the two-day event.

Dr Elizabeth Mati

She spoke about Le Va’s Atu-Mai programme, which is a community-based violence and sexual violence prevention initiative designed to support Pasifika young people, families, and communities to experience safe, healthy, and respectful relationships.

In Aotearoa, evidence shows that Pasifika young people experience high rates of family violence, sexual harm and suicide attempts. Atu-Mai takes a strengths-based approach to bring about positive change.

Le Va developed the programme to equip Pasifika young people and their families with the knowledge and tools to live violence-free. The name Atu-Mai is based on the Cook Islands proverb ‘Aro’aatu, i te aro’a mai – love given, love received’.

Learn more about our Atu-Mai programme.