MEDIA STATEMENT

19 November 2012

Shameful stats must motivate men to change

“The numbers of women and children in Porirua running to refuges to escape their husbands and boyfriends is shocking and it’s a figure we ought to be ashamed of,” says Hamiora Ritete of Proud Porirua Brothers.

“The Jake the Muss mentality is still thriving and with White Ribbon week approaching, now is a good time to remind men to make the change to a violence-free life,” said Mr Ritete.

In the past 12 months, 577 women and 556 children sought help from Porirua women refuges Te Whare Tiaki and Te Whare Manaaki. In that time, the two refuges also received 1252 referrals from the police to help abused women.

Mr Ritete said Proud Porirua Brothers was a voluntary group, made up of local men, which worked all-year-round to educate and empower men to lead violence free lives.

“We do a lot of work in schools and sports clubs because if we want Porirua to be violent free, we have to start with our young.”

One of the group’s annual events is the White Ribbon Breakfast at Maraeroa Marae which will be held tomorrow [November 20]. The event is expected to see almost 100 local men share stories about how they rehabilitated from a life of violence.

“Groups like ours are here to support men make changes but the real change will come from within the homes and hearts of those wanting something better for themselves and their children.”

Mr Ritete said there were other groups in Porirua doing great work, including, the Canons Creek Whanau Centre which got more than 70 white ribbon flags flying in the city centre.

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