White Ribbon Ambassadors Stand Up

Sports leaders, a mayor, and a college student are among a list of new White Ribbon Ambassadors, announced by the Families Commission to raise awareness of New Zealand’s record of men’s violence against women and children.

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.”