Mayor Launches White Ribbon Campaign in Whangarei

The White Ribbon Campaign to end violence against women is being launched this week throughout New Zealand, 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 the White Ribbon Campaign,” 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 launching the 2015 White Ribbon Campaign in their own region by signing the White Ribbon pledge which promises never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards 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 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 White Ribbon pledge at www.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 and the campaign now focuses on the whole of November, culminating 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 including the Police.”

This year’s White Ribbon campaign focuses on men saying ‘Yes’ to respecting women, giving them space, talking disagreements out, asking first, questioning their own behaviour and influencing other men to be respectful towards women.

“Family violence destroys families and can affect women and children for the rest of their lives through mental health issues, addiction and a tendency towards crime, and we must all work together if we are going to find answers,” Mayor Mai says.

“The White Ribbon Campaign is a chance for people to talk openly about the issue, sign the pledge themselves, 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.”

ENDS

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