Hon Tariana Turia
Chair, Ministerial Committee on Family Violence

25 November 2009
Media Statement

Violence free homes today and in the future

Tariana Turia is calling on all New Zealanders to make their homes violence free not just for today (White Ribbon Day) but into the future.

On average every year 14 women throughout the country are killed at the hands of their partners or ex-partners while one in five women experience sexual assault or interference in her lifetime, Minister Turia said.

“Our mothers, sisters and daughters are the backbones of our families and I appeal to every father, brother and son to respect their preciousness role by never raising a hand to them,” Minister Turia said.

“Today men around the world are being encouraged to stand up against violence toward women and children and I call on them not only to heed that message today but for every day of their life.

“All of us have the opportunity and the responsibility to help each other to be violence free. The first step to change begins in our own homes.”

Minister Turia also praised league legend, husband and father Ruben Wiki for becoming the first White Ribbon ambassador for New Zealand.

“Ruben was a great leader in sport and so many young Maori and Pasifika men look up to him. If there’s anyone who can get the message across it will be him so I believe he will be a great champion for this cause.”

Police attended over 73,000 family violence occurrences in the 2008/09 financial year, and in most cases women were the primary victims.

ENDS

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