Safer Central Hawke’s Bay Violence Free CHB White Ribbon Month Wrap Up
December 6, 2022
We are excited to share the news from Violence Free CHB on the events they undertook as part of White Ribbon month.
Violence Free CHB is a workstream of Safer Central Hawke’s Bay which was established in the Central Hawke’s Bay community in 2012. The workstream’s goals are to:
- Champion a whole of community approach to family harm prevention
- Encourage and empower community led solutions to family harm
- Build Safety
- Support the work of family harm providers in our community
Below is a summary of the initiatives of Violence Free CHB during White Ribbon Month of 2022.
Safer CHB Precinct
The month began with our presence at the Safer CHB precinct at our local CHB A & P show on Saturday 12th November. This annual show brings town and country together and all of our Safer CHB partners participate to share their injury prevention, safety and wellbeing messages to the public.
Rob Veale
We then hosted trainer and educator Rob Veale in the district where he delivered a workshop for professionals. This aigns with the group’s goal of supporting the work of family harm providers in the community. It is the first time we have been able to invite Rob to our community and we are grateful to ACC for providing a grant to assist with costs. Feedback for those who attended was overwhelmingly positive and we are already planning the next workshop.
Rob then presented at a public event that night in Waipukurau with around 30 people in attendance. For many it was their first-time hearing about the realities of family violence and its effects on our community.
The evening began with refreshments and as always we took the opportunity to promote our violence free messages and all participants took home a Safer CHB goody bag of information.
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White Ribbon Business Packs and Displays
All main street businesses and social service and health organisations in Waipukurau and Waipawa were provided with a bag of White Ribbon resources. We have had amazing support from our local businesses with most happily promoting White Ribbon week in their shops or workplaces and providing pick up points for White Ribbons to members of the public. We also had displays in both of our libraries, health centre and several other organisations.
Throughout the week we also ran a social media campaign via our Safer CHB facebook page and local CHB District Council facebook page as well as a far-reaching media release in our local CHB Mail which goes to every household in the district.
For some time we have wanted to create visual message to our community highlighting some of the more sobering facts around family violence. This year we achieved our goal by setting up the display below on our “Greenpatch” in Waipukurau – a piece of green space in the heart of Waipukurau. From the feedback and comments we received we know that this display resonated with many people and provided a catalyst for many discussions amongst our community.
White Ribbon Ambassadors
Our greatest achievement and cause for celebration this year was the announcement of our two White Ribbon Ambassadors. Mayor Alex Walker presented Ian Sharp and Jackie Aitchison with their certificates and a gift at an event in Waipukurau. The media release that followed the presentation noted:
Central Hawke’s Bay proud to introduce White Ribbon Ambassadors
Central Hawke’s Bay has taken another significant step toward safer communities, with Mayor Alex Walker appointing the district’s first White Ribbon Ambassadors, Ian Sharp and Jackie Aitchison.
In this country most violence against women takes place in the home, with an average of 14 women a year killed by their partners or ex-partners.
White Ribbon Ambassadors are community members who play a vital role in building support, visibility and developing a shared understanding of the White Ribbon campaign and its overarching anti-violence messaging.
Mayor Alex Walker says: “Jackie and Ian are part of the Safer CHB Violence Free network, which raises awareness of family violence, and its effect on our local communities. Both have devoted so much to the cause already and I know they will be wonderful champions to spread the White Ribbon word even further.”
“Sadly, our community is not immune to family harm – but we hope by increasing visibility, support and having two passionate people in this vital role, we can take steps toward delivering practical help to those who need it most.”
White Ribbon Day, held last Friday, celebrated the many men willing to show leadership and commitment to promote safe, healthy relationships within families and encourage them to challenge each other on abusive attitudes and behaviour.
To join or find out more about becoming involved with Safer CHB Violence Free network, email: christiner@chbdc.govt.nz
AUTHORISED BY DOUG TATE
Media Contact
Mayor Alex Walker, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council | T 06 857 8060 | M 027 860 7752
Ian and Jackie are pictured below with Central Hawkes’ Bay Mayor Alex Walker. Violence Free CHB thanks Ian and Jackie for their commitment and looks forward to what the future holds with our two White Ribbon Ambassadors assisting with raising the profile of family harm prevention in Central Hawke’s Bay.
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