NZ social media raises over $11k for Rape Prevention Education

In the wake of recent media coverage concerning sexual violence in New Zealand, a grassroots social media response is picking up pace in the form of a fundraising challenge to positively affirm the role sexual violence prevention plays in stopping situations such as the recent so-called Roast Busters case.

Blogger and Twitter user Giovanni Tiso (@gtiso) of Wellington successfully turned to social media this week to pressure corporate advertisers to boycott the RadioLive show hosted by Willie Jackson & John Tamihere. Fellow tweeter Matthew Hooten (@MatthewHootonNZ), an NBR journalist and political commentator then joined forces with Giovanni to challenge the same advertisers to support charitable causes in the space. Telecom NZ (@TelecomNZ) was quick to accept the challenge donating $10,000 to the Auckland-based sexual violence prevention organisation, Rape Prevention Education - Whakatu Mauri. The donations, made through Telecom Foundation’s fundraising platform Givealittle.co.nz, currently sit at over $11,000 and will contribute to maintaining RPE’s school-based programmes teaching respectful sexual relating, especially BodySafe and Sex ‘n’ Respect. ANZ and Countdown have also committed donations, as have a number of people from the general public and Twitter users.

“We have never received such a large donation before without a great deal of fundraising,” says RPE Executive Director, Dr Kim McGregor.

“We are really pleased that the recent national conversation on sexual violence is beginning to result in increased public awareness about this issue, and that private individuals and companies are committing to help us provide sexual violence prevention initiatives in schools. We appreciate seeing social media play such a positive role in working to prevent sexual violence and support those affected by it.”

“We hope that the momentum created by this increased concern will continue to result in better resourcing for agencies such as ours and others throughout the country.”

“RPE, along with many other sexual violence prevention agencies, depend on extra funding such as this to extend the reach of our programmes. We hope that more individuals and corporates support our work by donating.”
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