Pacific scholar shares healing approach to family violence trauma

Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland’s first Pacific PhD graduate in Counselling, Toleafoa Dr Sarah Va’afusuaga McRobie, presented a seminar at the National University of Sāmoa (NUS) on 9 September.

A Sāmoan academic and health professional specialising in clinical and counsellor education, Dr McRobie (Falease’ela, Tuana’i), presented a culturally grounded framework, designed to support survivors of sexual and family violence.

A recipient of the University of Auckland’s Fofonga Pacific Research Excellence 2026 TUBU Fund, Sarah shared her doctoral research and decades of clinical counselling experience during the talanoa, introducing health professionals, students and academics from the Faculty of Health Sciences to the Pacific Indigenous Counselling (PIC) model.

The approach integrates Pacific Indigenous proverbs, metaphors, symbols, cultural values, spirituality and trauma-informed approaches and practice to support healing and recovery.

The importance of the seminar is bringing together Pacific cultural and spiritual knowledge into the sensitive talanoa about healing approaches to sexual and family violence trauma says Sarah.

At the heart of her presentation was the Sāmoan proverb E fōfō e le alamea le alamea; the remedy for the sting of the crown-of-thorns starfish can be found within the starfish itself.

“This proverb reminds us that solutions can be found within our own communities,” she says. “The PIC model shows that healing is relational, collective, cultural and spiritual, and that solutions can be found within Pacific families, churches and communities.”

The model provides a framework for counsellors, social workers, psychotherapists, nurses, doctors and other allied health practitioners; combining four key components: Vā-centred approaches, Niu-informed healing and resilience, Fonofale (family, collective responsibility, spirituality and culturally appropriate processes), and Trauma and Safety clinical practices, enabling professionals to respond safely and effectively to survivors.

Sarah hopes to encourage healthcare professionals, educators and students in Sāmoa to provide care that is culturally responsive, spiritually grounded and clinically safe.

“Safety is paramount for survivors. Within their socio-cultural and spiritual context, it is important to strengthen vā (relational space), engage families and community support services appropriately, and recognise survivors' cultural and faith-based strengths, resilience and courage as part of the healing process,” she says.

“Ultimately, I hope this contributes to advancing holistic health and better outcomes for our Sāmoan survivors, their families, communities and villages.”

Sarah graduated in 2024 as the first Pacific person to earn a PhD from the University of Auckland’s School of Counselling. Her doctoral research developed the PIC model; tailored to working with Pacific survivors of sexual violence trauma. Her findings highlighted the importance of incorporating Pacific concepts of healing, spirituality and relationships into counselling practice.

She adds Sāmoan culture and faith in God can offer significant strengths that can help shape counselling practice, particularly in responding to sexual and family violence.

“Collective trauma requires collective solutions. Sāmoans are strong and resilient in navigating vā, drawing on family, cultural and spiritual support systems.”

Sarah points to ifoga, the traditional Sāmoan process of apology, forgiveness and reconciliation, as an example of an Indigenous approach that can support healing alongside legal and professional interventions.

However, she acknowledges ongoing challenges around silence, shame and stigma.

“The question is how do we break the silence and create safe spaces for disclosure, trauma education and access to support services for survivors and their families?”

Looking ahead, Sarah plans to continue sharing the PIC model through teaching, supervision, workshops, conferences, publications and partnerships with the National University of Sāmoa's Dr Jyothi Alex Abraham and Malua Theological College's Reverend Associate Professor Dr Alesana Pala'amo, while also collaborating with academic, community and church organisations across the Pacific.

She also believes lasting change requires collaboration across government, families, communities and churches.

“We need to come together to talanoa about how we can implement strategies to end sexual and family violence in the Sāmoan context, and to use research to inform the policy changes and provide resources needed to support all survivors in Sāmoa.”

University of Auckland’s Associate Professor of Social Sciences Tamasailau Suaali’i-Sauni was also in Sāmoa for the seminar to support the talanoa. Dr Suaali’i-Sauni was also a co-supervisor for Sarah’s doctoral study alongside Emeritus Professor Susan Kemp and Dr Margaret Agee.

Sarah says the message of healing remains clear.

E fōfō e le alamea le alamea. Healing solutions already exist within us; the answer is often found in what we already know, value, and carry forward.

"By strengthening vā, drawing on cultural and faith-based strengths, building trauma-informed practice, and equipping health professionals with frameworks such as the PIC model, we can support long-term healing, recovery and hope for future generations."