Domestic violence is not a Samoan issue, it is a universal issue.
So said Lemalu Sina Retzlaff after taking out a protection order against a former partner Brian Lima, who assaulted her in public during the weekend.
According to the Samoa Observor, Lima who is a former Manu Samoa rugby player was arrested on Friday.
He will be remanded at large until his case is mentioned in Court on the 13th of next month.
Lima has been charged with causing actual bodily harm and being armed with a dangerous weapon.
Police have obtained his travel documents.
He has also been ordered not to approach or have contact with Lemalu.
During an interview with the Samoa Observer yesterday, Lemalu said from her experience, it didn’t matter whether you were rich or poor, educated or not, if you lived in Apia or within the rural areas within the village council setting, women everywhere are being affected by it.
She has been divorced for two years, and recently her ex-partner assaulted her again this time in public.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
