Whangarei streets increasingly unsafe, says YWCA of Whangarei

A worrying increase in violent attacks on the streets of Whangarei is disturbing, says the YWCA of Whangarei. This comes after a vicious knife attack in central Whangarei over the weekend and the murder of 21-year-old Ashlee Louise Anne Edwards in July.

"Our young people have a right to be safe in our streets, as does the entire community," says Sarah Manley, President of YWCA Whangarei. "We work with young women in some of our local schools, and we are very disturbed about the stories we hear in regards to violence in our streets."

The YWCA is backing calls of the The Family Violence - It's Not Ok campaign group that local leaders need to start denouncing violence in the community. "We agree that community spaces throughout Whangarei could be used to promote a message of zero tolerance to violence."

"The people of Whangarei deserve safe streets and neighborhoods where they can walk outside without fear of violence. The community at large deserves an end to the violence that is stealing young lives and destroying our communities."

ENDS

© Scoop Media