White Ribbon calls on men to reject ‘Return of the Kings’
White Ribbon calls on men to reject ‘Return of the Kings’
Neomasculinist group ‘Return of the Kings’ leader, Daryush 'Roosh' Valizadeh, has announced plans to hold public meetings around the world, including in New Zealand.
White Ribbon Campaign Manager, Rob McCann, has described the ideology that the group is trying to sell as disgusting, and says that they have no place in modern society. Australia and New Zealand just recently rejected the group called the ‘Pick up Artists’, and we should do the same with the Return of the Kings.
In 2015, the White Ribbon’s campaign focused on Respectful Relationships and for the first time talked about the need for consent when engaging in sexual activities.
“For this group to advocate that ‘rape on private property should be legalised’ is abhorrent, and demonstrates just how deluded and despicable they are,” said Mr McCann. “We don’t need people like this peddling their own version of misogyny.
“Most men treat women with respect, but the biggest cause of violence is the belief that men have more rights and power than women. This group will try and perpetuate that belief, and for that reason alone we shouldn’t be letting them into New Zealand,” said Mr McCann.
White Ribbon
Ambassadors have also been appalled by news of the ‘Return
of the Kings’ and want the New Zealand Public to know that
New Zealand men do not, and should not, have these
attitudes.
White Ribbon Ambassadors Respond | ||
“These views will be
abhorrent to New Zealand men. We are proud to live in a
country where women and men are valued equally. Gender
discrimination and stereotyping like this has no place
here." Children’s Commissioner and paediatrician Dr
Russell Wills
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| “To be allowed to promote such
degradation is not just against what White Ribbon stands
for, it is against the very moral nature of human society.
There is no way these people should be allowed into New
Zealand.” David White
| “In its broadest
sense, a truly progressive society is one that cares for,
protects and provides for women. These are, in fact, the
very principles that underpin what being a man is really all
about. Let’s build a nation of good strong men who
understand this - the other kind of nation is one not worth
living in.” Trevor Simpson
|
“I am standing up against the online group Return of the Kings. Their message is degrading to women, and aims to perpetuate negative stereotypes. The men I know do not involve themselves in such groups, and treat women with respect. If we are to be a loving society, we should denounce such groups, and help fight this type of rape culture.” Callum Williamson | “It's really childish, ridiculous, and crazy to show masculinity by raping women. Demonstrate masculinity by respecting women.” Pan Benjamin | “This ludicrous ‘analysis’ of gender
relations would be comical if it were not so offensive. The
emergence of such misguided individuals, and their primitive
stereotyping of gender roles, should motivate us to redouble
our efforts to encourage all men to develop and maintain
positive and respectful relationships with women.” David
Clendon MP
|
“As a father I want my daughter to be safe, to be respected by her partner and to have the freedom to make choices, I want my sons partners to feel safe, respected and able to speak their truth. When myself, my sons or any men act in a way that disrespects women, treats them as less than human and privileges ourselves ahead of everyone else, we don’t just disrespect them we effectively disrespect ourselves.” Brian Gardner former chair White Ribbon | “As an
ambassador and a male I strive to see gender equality and
respect. For us as men to allow such an event to take place
here would be a travesty. The ideology of this group is
incredibly damaging and has no place in New Zealand.”
Robert Mackay
|
KEY STATISTICS • One in three women will experience partner violence at some point in their lives • Fewer than 20 percent of abuse cases are reported • Over 3,500 convictions are recorded against men each year for assaults on women • On average, 14 women a year are killed by their partners or ex-partners • Police attend a family violence incident every 5 ½ minutes • Family violence accounts for half of all reported serious crime • In 2014 Police responded to over 100,000 family violence incidents |
ENDS