The schedule for this years White Ribbon Ride has now been agreed upon and has been sent out to communities for consultation – more information on the route and schedule will be available soon.

White Ribbon is a symbol used by communities to show that they do not condone violence towards women. In New Zealand most violence by men against women takes place in the home – each year an average of 14 women are killed by their partners or ex-partners and more than 3500 convictions for assaults on women are recorded each year.

The Warriors have added their voice to the growing movement that wants to eliminate family violence, inviting White Ribbon to Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday 1 May for their game against the Raiders.

“We want our community to be safe for all women and children,” says Ruben Wiki, White Ribbon Ambassador and Warriors High Performance Assistant. “As a team we aim to treat each other as family. There’s a high level of respect and we look out for one another. Families should be no different. No one should suffer intimidation or violence. As a team we hope we can play a small part in ending family violence.”

In the 12 month period ending 30 June 2009, New Zealand Police recorded just over 30,700 family violence related incidents and offences in the Auckland Region, a level similar to the previous year. New Zealand Police have given strong focus to responding to family violence, and have resolved 97% of family violence related offences during the period.

Sergeant Pat Waters of the Auckland Family Safety Team believes that, by working with both the perpetrator and victim to find appropriate support, real and lasting solutions are possible. “The complex nature of family violence means that we don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. We might be assisting a grandmother experiencing violence from her children’s family, a partner experiencing intimate partner violence or a situation where children are involved.

“The way we view violence has moved on in that it’s not enough just to punish the offender, rather we work to ensure there is an opportunity for the offender to grow and understand the consequences of their actions and work to change their behavior,” says Sergeant Waters.

White Ribbon offers men a chance to be part of the solution to end violence. We want men to be leaders and to take positive steps and be at the forefront of change.

“The Warriors are providing an excellent example of how men can take part and support the movement to end family violence. You can either ignore the problem, or you can acknowledge that you can have a positive role in reducing the incidents of violence. The Warriors have chosen to become part of the solution,” said Sergeant Waters.

“As someone who is passionate about ending family violence, I want men to start talking to their mates if they see violence. As men we should be grown up enough to have that conversation and to ask for help when we need it. As the adverts say, violence is not ok, but it is OK to ask for help”, says Ruben.

The ride, organised by the Families Commission as part of the White Ribbon campaign, will start in Tauranga and travel through the centre of the North Island to Wellington and then north via eastern and western routes to Auckland and Bream Bay.

“Based on the enthusiasm displayed last year, 2010 should be one to watch out for! Communities opened up their hearts and those meeting the riders found they had a shared commitment to ending family violence”, says Bruce Pilbrow, Deputy Chief Commissioner. “This is an opportunity for communities to show their support for White Ribbon and acknowledge that violence in New Zealand families is unacceptable.

“White Ribbon is a symbol of our intolerance towards violence; more than 500,000 New Zealanders wore ribbons last year as a pledge to never commit or condone violence against women,” says Mr Pilbrow.

In 2009 the White Ribbon Ride visited over 35 towns and cities throughout the North Island with more than 200 riders taking part. Riders had the option of traveling the whole distance or joining it for smaller runs. At each destination riders were met with events, rallies, sausage sizzles, forums and hakas – all designed to promote the anti-violence message in their communities.

“We are now asking communities through-out the North Island to register their interest in the 2010 White Ribbon Ride so that we can finalise the routes” says Mr Pilbrow.

The ride will be led by the Patriot Motorcycle Club and Super Maori Fullas, brothers who grew up the Super Māori Fulla way – surrounded by love and respect. Now they use the visibility and mobility of their bikes to encourage all New Zealanders to show that they are against violence towards women.

The Super Maori Fullas will be supported by the Patriot Motorcycle Club whose members are drawn from serving or past members of the New Zealand Defence Forces.

Communities who wish to participate in the ride should fill in a registration of interest at http://whiteribbon.org.nz/get-involved/white-ribbon-ride/ or contact the Families Commission for further information.

Highlanders and White Ribbon visited Te Roopu Tautoki listening to Harvey Uiti, Dennis Mariu and Michael Laufiso talk about family violence issues, the effect they have on families and how men can take positive steps to stop family violence.

The Highlanders are joining forces with White Ribbon to help raise awareness of men’s violence against women.

White Ribbon is a symbol used by communities to show that they do not condone violence towards women. In New Zealand most violence by men against women takes place in the home – each year an average of 14 women are killed by their partners or ex-partners and more than 3500 convictions for assaults on women are recorded.

The Highlanders have added their voice to the growing movement, aimed at eliminating violence towards women, by inviting White Ribbon to Carisbrook as the match day charity and for White Ribbon to meet with players and management.

“Clearly we want our community to be safe for all women and children,” said Greg O’Brien, Highlanders Team Manager. “As a team we try to treat each other as family. There’s a high level of respect and we look out for one another. Families should be no different. No one should be made to suffer intimidation or violence. As a team we hope we can play a small part in ending family violence.”

Family violence-related offences in the Southern Police district rose 13% in the year to 30 June 2009, to just over 3000 offences, of which some 60% were categorised by police as actual violence such as child abuse and assault. But White Ribbon Coordinator Rob McCann says this is not necessarily bad news.

“In the past police have told us that family violence incidents have been seriously under-reported. Since the advent of the “It’s Not OK” and “White Ribbon” campaigns, reporting of family violence has gone up, which police nationally have credited to the success of these campaigns as they have encouraged more people to take action to report family violence or seek help both as victims and as perpetrators. Police have also improved their reporting procedures and have committed to a strong focus on dealing with family violence at all levels. The result of this in the southern police district is that 20% more family violence offences have been resolved.”

Rob McCann says these figures show that the real levels of family violence are now being brought out into the open and there is a greater intolerance by society toward violence and an increased willingness to take action.

Rob McCann was very pleased when the Highlanders asked whether they could assist in raising awareness. “White Ribbon offers men a chance to be part of the solution to end violence. We want men to be leaders and to take positive steps and be at the forefront of change.

“The Highlanders are providing an excellent example of how men can take part in the movement to end violence towards women. You can either ignore the problem, or you can acknowledge that you can have a positive role in reducing the incidents of violence. The Highlanders have chosen to become part of the solution,” said Rob McCann.

To learn more about some of the issues facing women, The Highlanders have invited White Ribbon and Lesley Elliott (mother of Sophie Elliot) to speak to the team after training.

Lesley Elliot explains, “The ultimate result of family violence towards Sophie was her death. However there were many incidents of intimate partner violence that led to her death. I hope that by sharing Sophie’s story with the team, these young men can look at their own behavior and say with honesty, that they want to be part of the solution.”

“We’re not saying we’re perfect but we want to learn more about the issue and add our support to White Ribbon and help end family violence in New Zealand. As potential role models we want our young men to be able to say it’s not OK if they come across violence in our families or our friends’ families. I hope by joining forces with White Ribbon we are bringing some awareness to the issue, and hopefully turning that awareness into action,” says Greg O’Brien.

Key Messages:

• No violence within families is tolerable. If someone within the family is being frightened or intimidated by the behaviour of someone else, it is not OK. But it is OK to ask for help
• Violence isn’t just the physical, emotional or verbal behaviour used to control someone through fear. Things we say, or don’t say, contribute to the abuse
• White Ribbon as a campaign will focus on what good men can do to change attitudes towards violence, developing a practical guide for affirmative action by men
• White Ribbon Day is the international day when people wear a white ribbon to show they won’t tolerate, condone or remain silent about violence against women
• It originated as a men’s movement in Canada and is now part of the United Nations annual calendar (International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women). The Families Commission took a leadership role in New Zealand in 2006
• White Ribbon is now used as a symbol to show you do not condone violence against women or children
• Whether you are a father, brother, uncle, granddad or cousin – we all want to keep our families safe. We all want our children to grow up and have happy healthy relationships
• By wearing a white ribbon you can make it clear that you do not tolerate violence against women and children
• You can also take positive actions and make sure your home, your business or your sports club is a safe environment where abusive behaviour is not tolerated
• The White Ribbon Day campaign encourages men to talk openly about violence towards women, to support men who want to change their abusive behaviour and to challenge comments, statements and actions by men that are abusive

Statistics:

• In New Zealand most violence against women takes place in the home
• In violence between couples, it is men’s violence that is most likely to cause serious physical or psychological harm
• An average of 14 women a year are killed by their partners or ex partners
• There are over 3500 convictions recorded against men each year for assaults on women
• One in three women will experience partner violence at some point in their lives

The Families Commission works with multiple agencies and NGOs to coordinate the national campaign including: UNIFEM, National Network of Stopping Violence Services, NZ Police, UNICEF, YWCA, Women’s Refuge, Jigsaw, Barnardos, Amnesty International, Relationship Services, YMCA, ACC, Human Rights Commission, Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Ministry of Social Development, Auckland Regional Public Health Service, Department of Corrections, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice

• The Highlanders play The Lions on Friday 26 March at 7:35pm at Carisbrook
• If you or someone needs help call 0800 456 450 or go to www.areyouok.org.nz

Sunrise on TV3 interviews Ruben and Brian

Goodmorning on TVNZ interview Ruben and Brian

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A small selection of print media:

White Ribbon week calls for end to violence

Join in White Ribbon Day

Small symbol, important message

White Ribbon day for anti-violence

Motorcycle clubs rally together to fight violence

Mates praised for ‘brave’ action

Police band to sing out on violence

On the beat

Police seeking support against home violence

In my father’s footsteps

On a mission

Student Ambassador

Stop the violence

Sign of times that violence is not OK

Dramatic approach to family violence

Youngsters get AMP’d at Manukau parks

More work needed to help stop violence

Making a stand on three wheels

The ride, organised by the Families Commission as part of the White Ribbon campaign, takes four separate routes through eastern, western and the central North Island. The riders will join at ASB Showgrounds in Auckland on 27 November. From there it is expected the large contingent of riders will travel together to Bream Bay, Whangarei.

Super Maori Fulla Mervyn Rawiri says, “This is an opportunity for men to stand up and say they do not condone violence against women and children.”

“By participating in the ride, men can help raise awareness and pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence.”

The brothers grew up the “Super Māori Fulla way” – surrounded by love and respect. Now they are using the visibility and mobility of their bikes to encourage all New Zealanders to show that they are against violence toward women and children.

“We hope that by drawing attention to the issue with our bikes, our ride we will reach people in a new way,” says Mervyn.

The Super Maori Fullas will be supported by the Patriot Motorcycle Club, all former or serving members of the New Zealand defence forces. Shane Henry, Patriot and former combat soldier says, “New Zealand is seen as a peacekeeping nation and our members have a background of serving their country. We now want to play a part in reducing violence in our own neck of the woods and we’re proud to support the White Ribbon Ride.”

“Our role will be to act as the road captains and tail end Charlies and assist the Super Maori Fullas with logistical support for the ride” says Shane.

The four rides will visit more than 35 towns and cities across the North Island picking up riders on their way north. At many of the ‘meet and greet’ locations, events have been planned and the public will have an opportunity to meet the riders.

Riders are welcome to join the ride at any of the ‘meet and greet’ locations throughout New Zealand. Simply visit www.whiteribbon.org.nz to find out locations times and rules. Riders are also asked to bring items of canned food to be donated to Women’s Refuge. For further information please visit the website.

“Like the yellow markings on a road, there are some lines you don’t cross”, says Roger. “White Ribbon Day is an opportunity to say violence against women and children is a line men won’t cross. Join us on the White Ribbon Ride.”

White Ribbon Day is held each year on 25 November and is the international day when people wear a white ribbon to show that they do not condone violence towards women. In New Zealand most violence by men against women takes place in the home – each year an average of 14 women are killed by their partners or ex-partners and more than 3500 convictions for assaults on women are recorded.“Violence in our community is never acceptable,” says Bruce Pilbrow, Deputy Chief Commissioner of the Families Commission. “White Ribbon Day is an international day to recognise the issue of violence by men against women and children. But let’s not kid ourselves. Acknowledging the problem is just the first step. We need men to become part of the solution.

“In the last month, the Families Commission has named eight White Ribbon Ambassadors who epitomise the message of the campaign. Actions often speak louder than words and we hope these leaders will inspire other men to take positive steps at home, in the workplace, or in social situations. By acting we can make our society safer and less tolerant of violence.”

Last year more than 500,000 New Zealanders pinned on white ribbons to register their personal commitment to standing up against violence and over 100 communities held events to raise awareness. This year there are even more events.

“The White Ribbon Campaign is not about naming and shaming people,” says Bruce Pilbrow. “Rather, it gives men the opportunity to ask for help, and highlights those willing to stand up and be counted. It’s a time for action. We want change in people’s lives, not your spare change!

Released earlier this year, the Family Violence Statistics Report 2009 report showed that one in three women will experience partner violence at some point in their lives.

“Family violence statistics in New Zealand are frightening. I have two daughters, and to me they are the most precious thing in the world. I hope they grow up in a community where their partners would never consider violence and the only place they can experience family violence is by reading a history book,” says Bruce Pilbrow.

“We want people to know that they can make a difference. Simply by wearing the white ribbon, men can make it clear to other men that they do not tolerate violence against women. You can make sure your home, business or your sports club are safe environments, where abusive behaviour is not tolerated.

“Change comes in small increments. But working together we can make a real difference.”

Ruben and the youngest member of the men's breakfast - Royden Johnston, aged 2

This morning over 130 men were served up a message of inspiration from Ruben Wiki at the Men’s White Ribbon Breakfast who challenged them to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence.

It’s White Ribbon Day today (November 25) when men around the world are encouraged to stand up against violence toward women and children. The men’s breakfast is one of several White Ribbon activities organised by the Families Commission to get men involved with the anti violence message. A range of inspirational speakers underscored the message that men need to lead by example if violence against women and children is to be eliminated.

New Zealand’s first White Ribbon Ambassador Ruben Wiki says, “I hope that by telling my personal story, I can help men understand that there are no valid reasons for violence, just excuses. Men are responsible for their actions and, as men, we have a choice between using violence or acknowledging that violence is unacceptable.”

As a child of ten, Ruben was a witness to family violence when his mother was assaulted by her boyfriend.

“I can still remember that feeling of helplessness, the hurt and the anger. I had a young siblings and I had to protect her while I watched and listened as a grown man left my mother with bruises and black eyes,” says Ruben.

“I resolved very early on in my life not to follow that path. You often hear about the circle of violence. A boy who was beaten that grows up and becomes the abuser. I don’t pretend to be the perfect person, but I didn’t follow that road, and that’s one of my proudest achievements.

“I resolved to support this campaign as it doesn’t name and shame. It offers support to those who are abusers, and it asks men who witness violence to offer support.

“Change won’t come quickly. I can remember when wearing a seatbelt became the law. It took 15 years for us to make it click. Violence is so much more complicated than that. It will take years or even generations.

“At the White Ribbon Breakfast, I asked each man to make a difference; at home, at business or in a social environment. My challenge to them was to sign up to a pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence.

“This is the code by which I aspire to live my life.”

White Ribbon Day, held each year on 25 November, is an international day of action and awareness when people wear a white ribbon to show that they do not condone violence towards women. In New Zealand most violence by men against women takes place in the home; each year an average of 14 women are killed by their partners or ex-partners and more than 3500 convictions for assaults on women are recorded.The ambassadors have been chosen by the White Ribbon Committee for many reasons, but especially for their efforts to reduce family violence through their work in local communities.

Joining Ruben Wiki and Barry Mathews as White Ribbon Ambassadors are:

Johny O’Donnell of SAVE – (Nelson college student)

Bob Harvey – Waitakere Mayor

Neil Alton – Poverty Bay Rugby Union Chief Executive

Richard Clarke – Burger King NZ Breakers Basketball General Manager

Murray Edridge – Barnardos Chief Executive

Hone Kaa – Anglican Minister

Richard Clarke, Burger King NZ Breakers General Manager says, “It’s a great honour to be asked to be a White Ribbon Ambassador. We are being asked to lead by example; to ensure that our family and friends know that violence is never acceptable, and to use our public profiles to get this message into the wider community.

“It’s a message that we are proud to support at the Breakers, and we hope that our fans take this message away with them. I’d like to think that we can use the profile of our club and players to make a difference. We want to encourage all New Zealanders to stand up and say no to violence against women and children.”

Bob Harvey, Mayor of Waitakere city, says, “This campaign is so important. Family Violence is simply unacceptable and White Ribbon Day gives men an opportunity to stand up and lead by example. Men need to be seen as leaders on this issue and I’m proud to try to set an example and use my profile to reach other men.”