Men Urged To Condemn Violence

Women’s Refuge is urging men to show their complete condemnation of violence against women during events over the next week marking White Ribbon Day.

White Ribbon Day, November 25, was started in 1991 by a men’s movement group in Canada and has been officially adopted by the United Nations as its International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Men are encouraged to wear a white ribbon to show they do not tolerate or condone violence towards women, and Women’s Refuge is one of many Government and non-government agencies supporting it again this year.

Last year, police attended more than 70-thousand callouts to family violence incidents.

The Chief Executive of the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges, Heather Henare, says the toll violence is taking on women, children and families is completely unacceptable.

“Every week hundreds of women are suffering abuse and violence, and tragically one of them dies every five weeks at the hands of her partner or former partner.”

“White Ribbon Day is a chance for men to make it absolutely clear that they won’t tolerate this behaviour and to make that stand both publicly and in their own homes.”

“That’s also the type of behaviour and message we expect them to be carrying 365 days a year, not just on this one day.”

Ms Henare says men should be positive role models for their sons and other young men, whether it is on the sports field, in the home or in the workplace.

“This places a responsibility on them to not only be mindful of their own words and actions, but how they might be seen and modelled by others.”

This year more than 300 thousand ribbons have been produced by inmates at Wellington Prison for distribution to the public.

They will be handed out in the streets, as well as at a number of events being held in communities throughout the country.

For details of events being held or to learn more about White Ribbon Day visit www.familiescommission.org.nz

For further information about family violence and how you or someone you know can seek help visit

www.womensrefuge.org.nz

or check under Women’s Refuge in your local white pages for your nearest Refuge.

ENDS

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