Warning: This article contains graphic content that may disturb some readers.
A video shared of an American Samoan woman repeatedly smacking a young boy caused a flood of complaints to child abuse services around the Pacific, leading to an investigation into the incident.
On Monday morning, a man claimed to have come across a video of a woman attacking a child.
He posted a screen recorded clip in a post on Facebook with the caption: "Just casually going through the stories on my Facebook & come across this maggot ***** story where she’s happily posting videos of her tormenting & abusing this kid!!! THIS IS NOT OK!!!!"
In the video, a boy is seen lying in his bed and a woman films as she lays blows with an open hand more to his face and shoulders than 10 times.
As she strikes him, he cries and tries to hide his face.
It is believed the woman, who Newshub has not named, is from Tafuna, a village on the east coast of Tutuila Island, American Samoa.
The man who brought the video to light told Newshub he felt it was important to share because "abuse like that happens all too often".
"Children need a voice and I was prepared to be that little boy's voice," he said.
"Being in a different country to the woman made it slightly difficult for me to be able to contact the correct officials but with the help of Facebook it was done and I feel better knowing that I saw something wrong and did the right thing."
In the 21 hours commenting was allowed on the video, more than 2,100 people voiced their concern, including a large number of Kiwis and Australians.
The post has since been removed.
One comment, made by a Facebook user with the same last name as the woman who uploaded the original Snapchat, claimed it was her sister and little brother in the video.
Criticism of the woman's actions was widespread throughout the comment section with a number of people condemning her for her actions and used language too explicit to publish.
Many tagged the American Samoa Government page as well as child abuse services from across the Pacific, while others contacted news publications, including Newshub.
One person wrote: "Someone help this young boy he needs a better home" while another added, "it doesn't matter if it's her brother it's still child abuse".
Another comment claimed to be written by someone who knew the woman, said she "is not abusing or tormenting him".
"Thats her little brother and she loves him dearly. Now stop with all your BS Negativity and stay outta other peoples business."
New Zealand Police told Newshub it is aware of the video and has passed it to relevant overseas authorities.
Samoa Victim Support told Newshub the organisation has been alerted by 10 other people from across the region expressing concern about "the extremely disturbing child abuse video".
"We have located the person involved in the video… from American Samoa. We are working with our networks in the neighboring territory to find out more on this case and we'll keep you updated.
"As a child protection agency, Samoa Victim Support Group do not tolerate this sort of behaviour towards our children."
Department of Human and Social Services director Muavaefaatasi John Suisala told Samoa News a copy of the video had been forwarded to his office that has "sparked outrage from people all over the world, specifically Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, and the US".
"DHSS is now acting on it, along with the Department of Public Safety."
