 White Ribbon Day
March 2008
Waitakere marches against family violence
White Ribbon Day
in Waitakere
What is White Ribbon Day?
Do you need Help?
Safe Waitakere homepage
Waitakere marches against family violence
More than 1000 people took to the streets in Waitakere on November 25 to call
for an end to family violence.
The third annual White Ribbon March saw people marching under the banner, Family
Violence - It's Not Okay in Waitakere and was led by Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey.
The march attracted people from all ages, cultures and backgrounds. Many marched
with hand painted banners with slogans including "Speak Out", "You Can Make a
Difference" and "You Can Help".
Mayor Harvey delighted in those prepared to join the campaign and asked the
community not to shy away from helping someone in need.
"It's not okay to not tell the many support groups, such as police, if you know
something's going on next door.
"Give them the mercy of your support and compassion. Don't let there be another
Nia Glassie," Mayor Harvey said.
"When I started this several years ago I didn't know if we could do this and
today I look at all the people who have turned out and I can say, to use Barack
Obama's tagline 'yes we can'."
"We can call a halt to violence in our city because it just does not need to
happen," he said.
Sandra Alofivae of the Families Commission in Auckland praised Waitakere for
doing things "your own way out west".
She said each year the White Ribbon campaign grows in New Zealand, with around
half a million white ribbons requested by event organisers throughout the
country, including 65,000 for Waitakere.
"You as a community are standing in a gap, you are saying no more to violence
and we hear your voices."
A poignant reminder of what the march is all about came from Vic Tamati and Jude
Simpson, national advocates for the prevention of family violence.
Vic is one of the faces of the national It's Not OK! Campaign and challenged men
to stand up and put their hands up to lead the way and stop the violence going
on in their families.
Entertainer Pio Terei, who has previously appeared on one of Waitakere's It's
Not OK! billboards, also joined White Ribbon Day, affirming his commitment to
the prevention of family violence within our community.
Thank you to our sponsors and supporters
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St John Ambulance - Civil Defence - NZ Fire Service
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| Quality Traffic Services |
Westfield, West City |
| Lincoln Green |
Tasti |
| Living Water |
Taylors: Spotless |
| Resene |
Rangers Productions |
| Esquires Coffee |
Sport Waitakere |
| Huhtamaki |
G-Wizz Advertising |
| Brave Design |
Rhythm Co |
| Corban Estate Arts Centre |
Te Kura Hoani Waititi |
| Health West |
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White Ribbon Day in Waitakere
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Mayor Bob Harvey and Dr Pita
Sharples in White Ribbon Day March 2007. Click to enlarge image. |
White Ribbon day in Waitakere is the day we stand together and say "Family
Violence - It's Not OK in Waitakere".
Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey has taken local leadership on the issue of
family violence and with Dr
Pita Sharples, co-chairs the Mayoral Taskforce on Family Violence. This is
accompanied by the Waitakere It's No OK" billboard campaign featuring
the Mayor and other Waitakere residents. The local campaign mirrors the nationwide "It's Not
OK" TV advertising.
What you can do
- Wear a white ribbon to show your support.
- Challenge attitudes and behaviour which condone or tolerate violence.
- Encourage others in your organisation, family/whanau, community, street or
workplace to wear a white ribbon.
- Organise a local event to speak out against violence towards women.
- Spread the word about the White Ribbon campaign and its aims.
What is White Ribbon Day?
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White Ribbon Day 2008 poster
courtesy of the Families Commission. |
White Ribbon Day is the international day for the elimination of violence
against women. The White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) is the largest effort in the
world of men working to end violence against women (VAW). In over 55
countries, campaigns are led by both men and women.
Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge to never commit, condone or remain
silent about violence against women and girls.
In New Zealand most violence by men against women takes place in the home - with
an average of 14 women a year killed by their partners or ex-partners. Police
deal with more than 70,000 family violence calls a year.
In 2008 White Ribbon Day acknowledges the many men willing to show leadership
and commitment to promoting safe, healthy relationships within families. The
campaign also encourages men to challenge each other on attitudes and behaviour
that are abusive.
Last year over 400,000 white ribbons and 10,000 posters were distributed by the
Families Commission throughout New Zealand which was double the numbers in 2006.
See
the 2008 White Ribbon Day posters on the Families Commission website.
Do you need help?
Violence happens in many ways:
- Physical - slaps, punches, kicks, weapons
- Emotional - making you think you're crazy
- Verbal - put downs, harassment
- Threats - to your safety and safety of others
- Isolation - keeping you away from your friends, family and support
- Sexual - molestation, rape, coercion
- Financial - keeping you financially dependent
- Intimidation - living in fear
Life doesn't have to remain like this!
You can call for help:
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