Ethnic Outreach

Signing the pledge

In 2011 the White Ribbon Committee set about ensuring that all New Zealanders would be able to hear the White Ribbon message. That means working with ethnic communities on a community-by-community basis, acknowledging that each is unique and on a continuum towards non-violence, but not necessarily at the same point.

Discussing ideas at the dinner

The catch-cry is that ‘there is no excuse for violence including culture’ and this has been picked up by communities across New Zealand culminating in a White Ribbon Dinner held at Police National Headquarters withGregory Fortuin(former Race Relations Conciliator) inspiring the audience to step up and take a stand.

But that’s not all. The campaign developed a number of translated posters and expects this to continue. These posters are available by download from here. We hope to increase the range in 2012.

Fijian Translation

The campaign has also been seeking out White Ribbon Ambassadors from all ethnic groups.

We recognise that change must come from within and having men from your own community stand up has far more potential to inspire change. If you know of someone who is inspirational and can lead through example click here and download the nomination forms. We need people to step up and provide that leadership role.

As the reach of White Ribbon grows, we are being asked to speak at events and activities across New Zealand. We hope these messages are then carried back into families where the real debate and change occurs. Here are some of the most recent functions we have attended:

• A function to acknowledge the work of over 165 Maori, Pacific and Ethnic wardens in ensuring safe outcomes for our communities;  in particular their magnificent work during the Rugby World Cup. The wardens signed the White Ribbon banner as a continued commitment to ending violence towards women within their communities.
  

  NZCFC Cup 2011 Champions team photo

  

  NZCFC tournament poster 2011

• The New Zealand Communities Football Cup that supports White Ribbon. Not only were there sporting competitions with 12 teams and 216 players but the event also included a Youth Workshopwhere migrant and refugee youth aged 12–18 provided feedback on the ‘Green Paper’ on how to improve the lives of young people. Our new White Ribbon Ambassador and former All White Harry Ngata was also able to attend, along withGregory Fortuin.
  

  White Ribbon Dinner

• The White Ribbon Dinner organised by the White Ribbon Ethnic Outreach. A fantastic event at the Police National Headquarters with a range of compelling speakers. We hope this event shared with Wellingtoncommunities the excitement and commitment for change that we know is building across New Zealand.
• The annual general meeting of the New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils in Christchurch on 5 November where White Ribbon presented to the members and received very positive feedback.
• The Manawatu Multicultural Council annual dinner in Palmerston North on White Ribbon Day.
• An event to acknowledge Muslim men working in the areas of family violence and supporting the rights of Muslim women. This event built on Ratna Osman’s (Sisters In Islam, Malaysia) visit to New Zealandin July 2011 which focused on Muslim Women’s Rights as Human Rights.
• Diversity Forum in Hamilton on 20 August where we also met for the first time with the New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils.
  

  Gregory Fortuin

Ethnic communities have few leaders that are able to speak on such an important subject as family violence and we have been indebted toGregory Fortuinwho has been able to capture hearts and minds and inspire action.

It’s an exciting time and we’d like to thank all those who have been working on this project, especially the staff from NZ Police, Office of Ethnic Affairs, Department of Internal Affairs, Human Rights Commission, Ministry of Social Development and Families Commission, and the support from the ethnic communities themselves. Without your enthusiasm for change – the change is not possible.

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New Zealand Football – White Ribbon Cup

In October 2010 New Zealand Football and the New Zealand Professional Footballers Association (NZPFA) partnered with White Ribbon – as the All Whites’ official cause and announced the first-ever White Ribbon Cup.

This is a cause that senior international and father of two, Ivan Vicelich, said had the full support from All Whites players.

“Sometimes being tough gets confused with being violent, but as a team we demonstrate that both on and off the field violence is not OK. Most of us have wives now, some have daughters. But all of us, and in fact all men have women in their lives – a friend, a sister, their mother – that they wouldn’t want to see in harm’s way. Signing up for White Ribbon is a way we can publicly show that men are the solution.”

Football Poster

The creation of a White Ribbon Cup will raise awareness of men’s violence against women and give all the top domestic teams that are not involved in Champions League football a bigger diet of football. The first two games have already been played and for more information click here www.asbpremiership.co.nz

Harry Ngata

We believe the relationship between White Ribbon and football is only just beginning. Future All Whites games will be used to raise awareness of the White Ribbon Campaign and already members of the team have signed the personal pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women, while Harry Ngata, former international and NZPFA board member became a White Ribbon Ambassador.

Ngata’s father, the late Dr. Paratene (Pat) Ngata, was an active campaigner for the cause. Harry explains, “For me it’s about legacy – not just from Dad’s work but also about the sort of role models sportsmen can be, and the sort of influence they can have when they stand up for up for what is right. You don’t have to experience violence to understand just how terrible the effects can be on women, and children.”

White Ribbon Cup

White Ribbon Cup

The White Ribbon Cup

The White Ribbon Cup, a new competition for ASB Premiership clubs not involved in Champions League football, kicks off this weekend on 03 December

The six teams – Hawke’s Bay United, Waikato FC and YoungHeart Manawatu in the Northern Conference and Canterbury United, Otago United and Team Wellington in the Southern group – will play two games each with the two conference winners meeting in the final on April 1.

The matches, two of which will be hosted in Taupo, will also see local match day activity for the White Ribbon campaign, adopted recently by the All Whites as their official cause.

The White Ribbon campaign raises awareness of men’s violence against women – which in New Zealand is generally directed at wives, girlfriends and other intimate partners.

All games will be played when the ASB Premiership takes breaks for the OFC Champions League giving the teams not involved much needed football.

“One of the main aims is to give all our top domestic teams a bigger diet of football at this level and the White Ribbon Cup is an important step towards that,” said New Zealand Football Chief Executive Grant McKavanagh.

“With the welcome distraction that the O-League causes in our season we needed to find a solution for the other six clubs.

“It’s also a practical way we can raise awareness of White Ribbon and the positive anti-violence messages of that campaign.”

White Ribbon Soccer Campaign

The campaign is led by the Families Commission which actively supports a suite of family violence initiatives including the It’s Not OK campaign, the Family Violence Clearinghouse, Family Violence Statistics report and the White Ribbon Campaign.

“We’re delighted to build on our relationship with New Zealand Football and have the White Ribbon Cup add to the support shown already by the All Whites to end violence against women,” said Families Commission White Ribbon Campaign Manager Rob McCann.

“The campaign is about men talking to men in ways that men understand so sport can be a great vehicle for communicating the message that you can be tough and play with controlled aggression, but you can’t bring that aggression into the home.”

New Zealand Football have indicated that future editions of the White Ribbon Cup will have an increased number of rounds to match the full O-League calendar.

Waikato and Hawke’s Bay meet at Taupo’s Crown Park at 2pm on Saturday with Team Wellington hosting Canterbury United at David Farrington Park in the capital at 3pm.

White Ribbon Cup 2011/12 Draw

White Ribbon Day is effective for combating family violence

Opinion piece for New Zealand Herald

Bob McCoskrie is likely to be a lone voice with his decision to not wear a ribbon on White Ribbon Day, the United Nations sanctioned campaign when men speak out against men’s violence toward women.

White Ribbon Day is one of the most extensive and widely supported campaigns in this country’s community action calendar. More than 500,000 individuals throughout New Zealand will wear a ribbon, hundreds of communities will host White Ribbon events, and dozens of organisations will be lending the efforts of their staff and volunteers to push the day’s anti-violence messages.

McCoskrie suggests that White Ribbon Day is about “blaming” men for violence, that the campaign’s messages make a gender issue out of a family problem.

“What about women’s violence toward men and children?” he asks.

It is a legitimate question, but one that reveals a lack of understanding of the history, role and impact of the White Ribbon Day campaign.

White Ribbon Day has never made out family violence as solely a result of men’s behaviour. It is, at its simplest, a men’s response to the issue of family violence.

Started by men in Canada in 1991 after the mass shooting of 14 female students at the University of Montreal, White Ribbon has remained steadfast to its founders’ principles: That if violence is to be prevented, men must lead, and take responsibility for their role in it; and that starts with their attitudes toward violence against women. Rather than blaming men, White Ribbon shows men how they can be part of the solution. It uses the strength of men to help bring about an end to all violence.

There is good science behind this. Studies show that men respond more positively to social campaigns when the message they receive is from men, about men, and asking men to stand up and lead. When messages are more generic, men are more likely to then see it as “someone else’s issue”. We need men involved in family violence prevention in New Zealand. White Ribbon helps achieve that.

And it works. White Ribbon, and its allied campaign “It’s Not OK” have been proven to be effective, not only for raising awareness of family violence generally, but also increasing the number of people prepared to do something about it. Surveys on the impact of “It’s Not OK”, for example, show that one in five New Zealanders have taken, or would be willing to take, action against family violence when they encounter it.  The New Zealand Police have said for many years that family violence is seriously under reported. That’s changing. Tolerance of family violence is at an all time low and reporting at a record high, a result the Police freely credit, in no small part, to the impact of the anti-violence campaigns. And we are starting to see evidence that the actual rate of family violence might be starting to reduce.

This is backed up by the human stories the Families Commission hears. Participants in the main White Ribbon event – the White Ribbon motorcycle ride currently touring New Zealand – tell us repeatedly that the White Ribbon activities open doors for people from all walks of life to talk about family violence generally, and gives them the courage to act.

The ride has elicited an incredible grassroots response from communities and individuals throughout New Zealand. And when the leather-clad male riders talk, men listen, and so do their sons and wives, fathers and daughters, uncles and aunts and brothers. The stories people tell of the impact of White Ribbon activities are inspirational for their hope and life changing renewal, bringing an end to violence for many families, whoever the perpetrators have been.

And the perpetrators are varied; in gender, in the role they have in their families, in the type of violence they commit, and in the degree of responsibility and culpability they have for their actions. Family violence is not – and has never been made out to be by the Families Commission – a simplistic formula of who’s the strongest physically in a relationship. Women do commit violence, and women are not always the “innocent” partner when violence does occur. Indeed, seeking to “blame” either one or the other of a violent couple is not helpful. Family violence is complex, and difficult. Therefore it needs a multiple number of approaches to deal with it successfully. The White Ribbon campaign is one tool in our kit box.

However, the Families Commission suggests that the gender comparisons debate is the least useful. All forms of violence, whoever the perpetrator and whatever their gender, are unacceptable. The White Ribbon campaign neither denies these other forms of violence nor precludes discussion of them; quite the opposite. The campaign is proven as a catalyst for opening discussion about, and encouraging action against, all forms of violence in New Zealand. That’s got to be good for Kiwi families and whānau.

We agree with Bob McCoskrie that violence is a family concern, not an issue of gender. So, we invite him, as a man, to show personal responsibility and leadership by wearing the White Ribbon. It is an emphatic statement, by men, that they will not tolerate any form of domestic violence in this country.

Carl Davidson
Chief Commissioner
Families Commission

Daughter inspires new Ambassador

White Ribbon New Zealand launches campaign with new Ambassador

David White

“We welcomes David White as a new White Ribbon Ambassador in the fight to end violence against women,” says Families Commission Campaign Manager Rob McCann.

David’s daughter, Helen Meads, was killed by her husband in their Matamata family home in September 2009. Helen was the victim of years of abuse and violence from her husband. Having seen what Helen experienced, Mr White has agreed to become an ambassador to ensure this never happens again.

David White explains. “Our daughter was murdered by her husband in 2009. It was a disgusting end to her brutal marriage. All too common these days; so common, in fact, that domestic abuse cases don’t always make it into the media; so common that when you see a headline you won’t bother reading the article. Your mind has already assumed that this is the type of violence that doesn’t affect us.”

“But is does. Violence occurs across all cultures and all socio-economic groups. Our daughter was married to a very wealthy man. The type of man who could buy silence through his money, and he was assisted by those who stood by, looking, but not seeing.”

“I am speaking out to support the White Ribbon Campaign and in the hope that other women who are experiencing violent relationships, will seek help, and that no one will become complicit by remaining silent.”

Mr McCann agrees. “If men reject the use of violence, the silence that protects such behaviour can not exist. Silence is the oxygen that allows violence to breathe and become the norm in a relationship. Each one of us can play a part in ending that silence, and that is why the White Ribbon campaign asks men to never commit or ‘condone’ violence. Sometimes it’s what we don’t do that makes us complicit.

David White joins an impressive list of White Ribbon Ambassadors which includes the Prime Minister, Ruben Wiki and Stan Walker. The ambassadors form part of the Families Commission’s campaign to raise awareness of men’s violence towards women and encourages men to get involved by challenging behaviours or attitudes that are abusive. The campaign has a number of major components in 2011:

• The White Ribbon Ride
• The Giant White Ribbon Pledge Project
• The Newspaper Pledges
• Information and Resource Distribution
• White Ribbon Ambassadors

 “By wearing a white ribbon, I’m saying I want to make a difference. The question is – what type of man are you?” asks David. “You can help to end the silence by participating in the many White Ribbon Day activities around 25 November. You can help to raise our collective voice and say once and for all, that this country and its men, reject violence against women.”

For more information about the campaign or activities in your local area visit www.whiteribbon.org.nz.

Join us on

Contact:

Rob McCann                                                               

White Ribbon Campaign Manager                              
04 917 7045 or 029 917 7045                                    
rob.mccann@nzfamilies.org.nz                                    

 

TV3 News Clip from 2010

 

North Island White Ribbon Schedule

 White Ribbon Ride – North Island

Itinerary North Island 2011

The final itinerary for the North Island can be downloaded here and the South Island will be ready later this week. The document contains the full schedule, event locations, routes, distances and accommodation details. So get on your bikes and ride!

As a rider, you can make a difference by joining the ride to raise awareness and help men to take action against violence. Riders can participate in the whole ride over all 8 days or ride for as long as you like . The ride will be led by the Patriots Defence Force Motorcycle Club. They are responsible for the safety of the ride, speaking to media and representing the riders at  the community events.

There is no registration for this ride, however riders must sign the pledge ‘never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women’. Riders can join the ride at any location and leave the ride at any location. There will be a short safety briefing for new riders at each location where the Patriots will ensure that riders are aware of the protocols and rules of the ride. Riders will also be given a Ride11 badge and ribbon to be displayed on the bikes.

White Ribbon Riders

A MEN’S HUI: TOWARDS WHITE RIBBON DAY PROJECT

INVITATION TO

A MEN’S HUI: TOWARDS WHITE RIBBON DAY PROJECT

Passionate about social change?

Believe in Saying NO to Family Violence?

“What can we do? How do we do it?”

Calling all ethnic men!

October White Ribbon Newsletter

October 2011

You can tell we’re busy when the October newsletter comes out a week before November! But rest assured, all our key projects are on track and White Ribbon will be on everyone’s mind this November. Later this week we have a major announcement, which will bring the White Ribbon ethos to an even greater range and number of families across New Zealand.

The 2011 Campaign is focusing on three key messages:

• Violence towards women is unacceptable

• Men must stand up and provide leadership

• Men are part of the solution

White Ribbon Ambassadors are emphasising the message that it’s OK to play with controlled aggression on the field, but you must never bring that aggression into your home or relationships. To assist local spokespeople we’ve put the full page of key messages on the website. These may also come in handy if you are planning to write letters to the editor.

We hope your preparations for White Ribbon Day are coming along well – keep us posted.  And congratulations to the All Blacks!!

 __________________________________________________________

Check out the October White Ribbon Newsletter. Heaps of info on the campaign and how you can help us find prominent men for the Newspaper Pledge Project. If you want to share this with people via email, just copy this link  http://whiteribbonnz.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/white-ribbon-newsletter-october.pdf  and paste it into your email – then send to all your friends and colleagues! You can help us spread the White Ribbon Message.

Seeing men turn their lives around inspires CEO

The White Ribbon Day campaign raises awareness of men’s violence against women – which in New Zealand is generally directed at wives, girlfriends and other intimate partners.  White Ribbon Ambassadors encourage men to get involved by helping to challenge and change men’s abusive behaviour and attitudes towards women.

Seeing too many families affected by violence has inspired Bruce’s desire to become a White Ribbon Ambassador. ‘My work has shown me that too often violence pushes families over the edge.  Anything that can be done to stop this from occurring I’m going to support wholeheartedly’, says Bruce.

‘I met a father a number of years ago who described himself as an ‘animal’. He abused alcohol and regularly abused his wife and children. After attending a parenting seminar at Parents Inc he learnt the value of being a great dad and how he had to protect his family. He realised that love had to be at the centre of his family and that his violent behaviour could not continue. He was able to turn his life around and with ongoing help became a sober, gentle, loving man for his family. If this man can make these life changes, other men can too.’  

Motivated by stories like this, Bruce feels honoured to become a White Ribbon Ambassador and assist other men to seek help and change their violent behaviour.

The campaign is led by the Families Commission which actively supports a suite of family violence initiatives including the It’s Not OK campaign, the Family Violence Clearinghouse, Family Violence Statistics report and the White Ribbon Campaign.

‘I have always felt passionate about this campaign. I thought it was something fresh and exciting and wanted to be a part of this life-changing work. Violence has no place in our society and I hope the campaign will help bring about a violence-free future for all of our families’.

Bruce believes that getting communities to talk amongst themselves about stopping violence is the first step in creating a violence-free society. ‘Male ambassadors who can speak to other men and communities are really powerful. The campaign communicates to the public in a positive, proactive way and I am really proud of it.’ He stresses the importance of people at a community level standing up and being leaders. ‘We need men to stand up within their own communities to say that violence is not okay. Let us draw a line in the sand and demand that violence towards women and families is not acceptable.’

Being an avid biker with his wife, Amanda, Bruce feels a strong connection to the White Ribbon Ride, a key component of this year’s campaign. He jokes that he loves all bikes, just as long as they are Triumphs. He believes that bikes can be a great starter of communications between people. ‘Motor bikers tend to be seen as tough and rough, but I have seen real genuineness and support for this campaign from biking communities. Using bikes as the common ground is a great way to start a conversation with someone. Communities that are visited by the White Ribbon Ride find the imagery of these men and the messages they are spreading really powerful.’

In 2010 the ride visited over 40 communities throughout the North Island, generating significant support for local anti-violence initiatives. Three rides will happen in 2011, one on the east and west coasts of the North Island and one down the South Island. Riders can participate in the whole ride over all eight days or ride for sections of the route. The ride is led by the Patriots Defence Force Motorcycle Club.

Bruce is committed to making sure the White Ribbon messages get to all corners of New Zealand. ‘I will use my connections through Parents Inc to share these messages and stories. We work with families all across the country and if I can use some of these networks to encourage more people to support the campaign, I know I’m doing something truly worthwhile.’  

http://www.theparentingplace.com
http://www.parentsinc.org.nz