Taranaki Base Hospital draped in white ribbons to show violence towards women is never OK

Taranaki DHB is supporting the week of White Ribbon Day, Tuesday 25 November, with the addition of three large (18 metre) white ribbon banners on the outside of the new Base Hospital, near the main entrance.

Marianne Pike, Violence Intervention Coordinator said, “These banners will really help to draw ttention to White Ribbon Day - the international day when people wear a white ribbon to show that they do not condone violence towards women.”

Callum Williamson, Coordinator for the Taranaki Safer Families Trust, who are leading the White Ribbon Campaign for Taranaki said, “Family violence is endemic within New Zealand and we all need to do our part. We really appreciate the hard work the Taranaki DHB are putting in to raise awareness of the White Ribbon Campaign.”

“We want people to understand and share the message that violence towards women is never OK.

This includes not only physical violence but emotional or verbal behavior used to control someone through fear,” added Mr Williamson.

Just inside the main entrance the ‘Lost Child’ art exhibition will also be on display for the week. The exhibition features work from WITT Art Student Deon Roodt, and Inglewood High School students which depicts the effects of family violence on children.

“Taranaki DHB staff will be available in the main entrance to explain the white ribbon banners and provide more information about the White Ribbon Campaign and art exhibition,” said Ms Pike.

“White ribbon pins and biscuits will also be handed out at the Base Hospital main and maternity entrances, as well as the Hawera Hospital main entrance, throughout the week.”

“In addition to supporting the White Ribbon Campaign, the Taranaki DHB, through our Violence Intervention Program (VIP), is committed to reducing and preventing the health impacts of violence and abuse through early identification, support, assessment and referral of victims presenting at our hospitals to specialist community organisations,” adds Ms Pike.

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