Women’s Refuge To Join Christian Music Festival

NATIONAL COLLECTIVE of
INDEPENDENT WOMEN’S REFUGES INC.

MEDIA RELEASE – 15 January 2009

Women’s Refuge To Partner With Christian Music Festival

Women’s Refuge will have a significant presence at this year’s Parachute Music Festival as the festival organisers promote a theme of social justice.

“Parachute is a huge event,” says Women’s Refuge spokeswoman, Sarah Pomeroy.

“It is the largest Christian music festival in the Southern Hemisphere and Women’s Refuge is thrilled to have been invited to participate.”

“We believe in the right of every woman and child to a safe home and we are currently working in the midst of a tide of domestic violence that is quite overwhelming.”

“The organisers of Parachute have recognised this as a significant issue of social justice and have provided us with an opportunity to attend the festival where we will be available all weekend in our marquee. We will share educational material and promote the message that “It’s OK to ask for help.”

Ms Pomeroy says festival attendees have been asked to bring donations of non-perishable food and new pillows for the refuges and an appeal will be held on the Monday morning of the festival to raise much-needed funds.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to speak to a large number of people in one place and I believe they will be a very receptive audience. Women’s Refuge has to reach out to communities to bring an end to violence in our homes. We will take every opportunity to reach the hearts and minds of New Zealanders on this issue.”

Women’s Refuge is New Zealand’s most significant family violence organisation, with a 35 year history of providing comprehensive services for women and children

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