In a powerful display of unity against domestic violence, Tauranga’s Fraser Cove car park has again become a focal point for advocacy for White Ribbon Day.

Collaborating with formidable allies, the event transcends traditional boundaries amplifying the message of breaking the silence surrounding domestic violence.

The White Ribbon Day event, held from 10am - 2pm, featured information stands and the opportunity to talk with people from Super Maori Fullas, the New Zealand Defence Force Military Motorcycle Club, Ngati Ranginui Iwi, Plunket, Whaioranga Trust, AvaNiu Pasifika, Te Manu Toroa, Nga Mataapuna Oranga, Family Works Northern, Bluelight, Tautoko Tane Male Support Services Bay of Plenty, Ministry of Justice, Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation and Tauranga Womens Refuge.

Ngati Ranginui Iwi and Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation were represented at the White Ribbon Day event. Photo: Ayla Yeoman.

As attendees engaged in conversations – korero, and enjoyed free food – kai, the collective effort aimed to foster awareness, resilience, and support within the community, driving home the importance of standing together against the pervasive issue of domestic violence.

“The event is all about supporting White Ribbon,” says NZ Defence Force Military Motorcycle Club member Graham Petch.

Te Manu Toroa. Photo: Supplied.

White Ribbon Day is commemorated each year on November 25.

“White Ribbon is about stopping violence against women and that’s why we are here in full support.”

Graham says the Patriots Defence Force Motorcycle Club members with him have all served in the military and are from the Hauraki chapter.

“Most of them have been overseas, served overseas, and have cleaned someone else’ back yard up. But this is a chance for us, as ex-military people serving, to clean our own back yard up.”

“Us ex-military people and serving military people are in full support of Tauranga Women’s Refuge and the White Ribbon.”

The Family Works Northern team. Photo: Supplied.

Graham says it was about 13 years ago that they started the Patriots support for White Ribbon through the Families Commission, coming to support the Super Maori Fullas.

“We used to ride our bikes around the North Island. The bikes used to draw out a certain character of people and we would tell them that domestic violence is not okay.

“We had undesirables coming out from the community to see the bikes and what’s going on and the next minute we’re telling them that in this country of New Zealand we have no snakes or bears, nothing that can harm them but people who are getting violated are mainly getting killed in their own homes. That’s unacceptable.”

He says “we’ve been there and we know what it’s all about”.

“We’ve heard the stories. One person told us how he slept under his house because he was so frightened to sleep in the house. That’s terrible.

“I came from somewhere with no violence and I’ve heard stories over the years of people joining the military to get away from it. Kids being killed and 10 years later they haven’t found anyone responsible.”

He says White Ribbon is a wonderful cause, a campaign led by men to end male violence against women and girls.

“It started in Canada with women being killed 25 years ago.”

The White Ribbon movement began in Canada in 1991 following a massacre of female students at a university in Montreal. A small group of men got together and looked for a way for men to oppose violence against women. They decided to encourage men to actively show their opposition by wearing a white ribbon.  Since then, the White Ribbon movement has developed internationally and is active in over 60 countries.

In this country most violence by men against women takes place in the home – with an average of 14 women a year killed by their partners or ex-partners. Each year there are over 3,500 convictions recorded against men for assaults on women and one in five women will experience sexual assault or sexual interference at some point in their lives.

White Ribbon Day celebrates the many men willing to show leadership and commitment to promoting safe, healthy relationships within families and encourages men to challenge each other on attitudes and behaviour that are abusive.

White Ribbon came to New Zealand in 2004 and the Families Commission became the lead agency in 2006. The White Ribbon Committee provided the advice on which the campaign acted. In 2014 the White Ribbon Trust took over the responsibility for the campaign.

One of the men at the event today thanked his employer The Port of Tauranga for letting them off work today.

“They’ve let me come here because they are against family violence as well, as all employers should be. I appreciate them, with me being able to be here to push the message. I wouldn’t have been able to be here if my employer hadn’t let me off.”

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Visit www.areyouok.org.nz for information, resources and services on family violence or call 0800 456 450.

The organisations below can also be recommended directly to people experiencing family violence.  If someone is in danger, Police or CYF should be contacted immediately.

Citizens Advice Bureau
0800 FOR CAB (0800 367 222)
Citizens Advice Bureaux provide information, advice, advocacy and support to individuals. Services are free, impartial and confidential. Resources are comprehensive and regularly updated.

Shine 
0508 SHINEE (0508 744633)
Preventing Violence provides an extensive range of services, including a national helpline; 24 hour crisis and advocacy for adult and child victims of family violence; a stopping violence programme for abusive people; a Child Crisis Team intervention service for children who have witnessed family violence; coordination of SAFTINET, an interagency network.

Jigsaw
0800 228 737
Jigsaw is an umbrella group for child abuse prevention services and child protection services in New Zealand.

PlunketLine
0800 933 922
Parents seeking advice on any aspect of the health and development of their child aged under five can phone PlunketLine to speak to a Plunket nurse.

National Network of Stopping Violence Services
0800 478 778
A network of community organisations working to end men’s violence to women and children across Aotearoa/New Zealand

Women’s Refuge
0800 733 843
See your local telephone directory or www.womensrefuge.org.nz for the refuge nearest to you.
Women’s Refuge is an independent community organisation run by women for women and children. It provides support and information and services are confidential and free.

Sexual violence

If you would like Kaupapa Māori support find help here:

NORTHLAND, AUCKLAND, WAIKATO, KOROWAI TUMANAKO (Northland, Auckland, Waikato)
Website:               www.korowaitumanako.org
Telephone:           027 422 6282
Email:                    korowai@korowaitumanako.org

BAY OF PLENTY
KITE RAPU I TE ORA
Telephone:           07 315 8429

If you, or someone you know, has experienced sexual violence find help here:

TOAH-NNEST website for help near you: http://www.toah-nnest.org.nz/index.php/get-help/find-help

National Collective of Rape Crisis 24 hour helpline: 0800 88 33 00