Region stands tall for White Ribbon

Palmerston North Mayor, Grant Smith, and Manawatu District Mayor, Margaret Kouvelis will be publically signing the White Ribbon pledge on Tuesday, 17 November at 8.30am in Mayor Smith’s Palmerston North’s City Council office. The pledge signing is just one part of the region’s White Ribbon campaign, which also includes two Dash events on Saturday 21 November.

Feilding’s Manchester Square and the Palmerston North Square White Ribbon Dash events will see male community members dashing through an obstacle course while wearing high-heels. The events have been created by the Manawatu Abuse Intervention Network (MAIN), a community initiative comprising of approximately fifty agencies including NZ Police, Women’s Refuge, and relationship service organisations from the wider Manawatu/Rangitikei district.

The Manchester Square Dash, running from 10am – 12noon on 21 November, will see Manawatu District Councillor Shane Casey donning a pair of high heels, with Manawatu District Deputy Mayor, Tony Jensen assisting with presentations. At 2pm, Palmerston North City Councillor, Vaughan Dennison will also demonstrate council leadership on this issue in The Square Dash opposite The Plaza in Palmerston North.

“The events are a fantastic opportunity for our region’s men to stand up and show they want to stop violence towards women,” says Te Manawa Family Services Manager and MAIN’s Chair, Julie Miller. “We’re also to delighted to have the White Ribbon Riders’ presence on the day.”

White Ribbon is an international campaign, officially recognised on 25 November, when people wear a white ribbon to show they don’t tolerate or condone violence towards women. The pledge, to promise to “never commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women”, is this year being complemented by a focus on respectful relationships - highlighting that equality, communication and asking for consent are important foundations towards preventing violence.

Earlier this year, New Zealand was named as number one for domestic violence in the world. “Our country’s statistics are startling”, says Constable Maxine Walshe, from Palmerston North Police’s Family Violence Team. “Police respond to over 100,000 incidents a year nationally. That equates to two hundred per day, one every six minutes.” Every year around fourteen women are killed, while there are over 3500 convictions recorded against men each year for assaults on women. Police estimate that only 20 per cent of the violence is actually reported.

The White Ribbon campaign recognises that men have the ability to influence their male colleagues and friends. It is also recognises that people in positions of influence, such as city councillors, have the ability to send a clear message that violence is unacceptable.

“Violence, clearly isn’t just a men’s issue, and that is why we have created events to reach all of our communities,” says Julie. “We will be giving out white ribbons and wristbands, and will have a free inflatable obstacle course and entertainment in both Feilding and Palmerston North.”

MAIN are still calling for dashees to participate in Saturday’s events. If you’re a local male willing to make a stand against violence towards women, then please get in touch with chrissie@blacksheepdesign.co.nz.

ENDS

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