Moetolo ‘sleep-crawlers’: A Samoan therapeutic approach to sexual abuse

Abstract

Sexual abuse behaviour remains a global concern that accounts for child sexual abuse, rape and other sexual assaults. Much of these acts of violation are perpetuated, but not entirely, carried out by men against women and children. Moetolo (moetotolo) or ‘sleep crawler’ is a Samoan term that is used to describe a person who sexually violates another while they or their family are asleep. This paper provides a case study presentation and discussion with the aim of examining this challenge from a Samoan viewpoint. Insights are drawn from the authors’ psychological engagement with a sexual offender while also engaging appropriate literature to inform and provide interpretation to the case. It is through such an examination that this article seeks to make a valuable contribution to understanding patterned responses of Samoan people to sexual abuse behaviours such as moetolo, and steps to remedy such concerns within their communities.