Anti violence voices should not be silenced

Pam Bassett

The Families Commission is appalled to learn that Hawera Rape Crisis manager Pam Bassett has received death threats after voicing her concerns about family violence in her community. Ms Bassett, a long term advocate to prevent family violence is also involved in the White Ribbon campaign, which visited the Hawera community last November with the White Ribbon Riders.

“What makes this most abhorrent is the fact that Ms Bassett is being threatened with violence, the very issue she is trying to stop’, says Paul Curry Chief Executive of the Families Commission.

“People should be able to stand up and say that family violence is Not Okay without fear and intimidation.  Perpetrators use intimidation to ensure that family violence remains hidden. The more it remains a hidden issue the more it will exist. We applaud Ms Bassett’s courage in making sure that family violence does not remain a silent issue within the Hawera community.”

The Families Commission works on a suite of family violence prevention initiatives including the White Ribbon campaign, the Its not OK campaign is a member on the Family Violence Taskforce, manages the Family Violence Clearinghouse and produces the Family Violence Statistics report.

“Underpinning all our work is a strong commitment to a culture in our communities that does not tolerate violence.  This story is an unfortunate indication of the work we have yet to do to change society’s attitudes towards violence” says Mr Curry.