Stan sings White Ribbon tune

Media release

12 November 2010

Stan sings White Ribbon tune

Australian Idol Winner Stan Walker has today become a New Zealand White Ribbon Ambassador.

White Ribbon Ambassadors are chosen by the White Ribbon Committee for their passion and commitment to ending violence towards women. Ambassadors use their public profile to champion a violence free lifestyle to other men.

Stan explains, “I was blessed with a voice and not just a singing voice. I have a unique opportunity to talk to other young men and tell them that violence against women is not ok.”

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

“As a child I witnessed and experienced some terrible things,” Stan says. “My house felt like a scene out of ‘Once Were Warriors’. That saying, if it doesn’t kill you it makes you stronger. Don’t believe it!

“Family violence destroys a family from within and set me on a chaotic and destructive path. If there is violence in your home, talk to someone. You don’t have to face it alone. There’s a helpline in New Zealand and it’s free.

“The same goes for people who witness family violence. Staying silent is not the answer and you can’t help your friends and family by keeping quiet.

“I’m very proud to be a White Ribbon Ambassador, to be standing next to the Ruben Wiki’s of this world and trying to live by actions and not by words alone. I bet there are many more of us just waiting for the courage to stand up and be counted.

“So my challenge to you is, wear a white ribbon this White Ribbon Day and show your mates that there’s never an excuse to be violent towards women,” says Stan.

For more information http://www.whiteribbon.org.nz

Notes:

Stan’s NEW single ‘HOMESICK’ is his tribute and Valentine to NZ
He will be touring NZ in first quarter of 2011 starting with a show in his home town Taupo Jan 2nd – he will also perform at Parachute Festival
Prior to these shows Stan will be in NZ several times this year for charity and church events

Contact
Rob McCann
Senior Communications and Media Advisor
04 917 7045 or 029 917 7045
rob.mccann@nzfamilies.org.nz