Media Release

24 November 2016

Mayor leads Whangarei’s White Ribbon response

The White Ribbon Campaign to end violence against women is being held throughout New Zealand again this year, with Mayor Sheryl Mai and Deputy Mayor Sharon Morgan leading Whangarei’s community response by signing the White Ribbon pledge.

“I’m proud to take part in this year’s White Ribbon Campaign by signing the pledge,” Mayor Mai says.

“Violence against women is totally unacceptable, and as a community leader I want to play my part in ending it in Whangarei.”

Mayor Mai is one of many New Zealand mayors promoting the 2016 White Ribbon Campaign in their region by signing the pledge which promises to stand up, speak out and act to prevent violence against women. Deputy Mayor Sharon Morgan also signed the pledge as a way of highlighting the issue of family violence in Whangarei.

“Too many of our women and children are impacted by domestic abuse in all its forms,” Deputy Mayor Morgan says.

“These are our mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and work colleagues, and as a community we must support them.

“We can’t escape Northland’s high violence statistics, but we can address them by working with the White Ribbon Campaign and signing the pledge atwww.whiteribbon.co.nz.”

The international White Ribbon Campaign originated in Canada and is now part of the United Nations’ annual calendar. The New Zealand Families Commission took a leadership role in 2006 with the campaign now culminating each year on 25 November - White Ribbon Day.

“The campaign aims to change attitudes and behaviours around men’s violence towards women,” Mayor Mai says.

“I urge everyone to be part of that, just as Council is by working actively with organisations like Police and Women’s Refuge to help prevent and raise awareness of family violence.”

This year the White Ribbon Campaign will focus on creating healthy and respectful relationships, the issue of consent and giving parents the skills and knowledge to talk with their children about respectful relationships, especially sexual relationships.

“Violence destroys families and can affect women and children for the rest of their lives through mental health issues and addiction,” Mayor Mai says.

“We must work together if we are to find answers, and the White Ribbon Campaign provides people with a great opportunity to talk openly about the issue, sign the pledge, and talk to Police, a trusted friend or an organisation such as Women's Refuge if they or someone they know is subjected to family violence.”

© Scoop Media