Statement from the Chair of the White Ribbon Committee

July 2, 2013 by

Peter Boshier - Chief Family Court Judge copy

Peter Boshier – Chair of the White Ribbon Committee

White Ribbon asks men to never commit condone or remain silent about men’s violence towards women.

As part of the campaign men are nominated as White Ribbon Ambassadors to help influence other men by changing attitudes and behaviour.

These nominees must also sign a statement that they are living violence-free lives, disclose any previous convictions for violent or abusive behaviour, and declare that nothing in their past or current personal life would damage the credibility of the campaign.

Following the very public scrutiny over Sir Owen Glenn’s nomination, and the omission of certain facts that should have been presented to the White Ribbon Committee, I have received a letter from Sir Owen Glenn advising that he has withdrawn his nomination as a White Ribbon Ambassador.

sir owen glenn

Sir Owen Glenn

Sir Owen maintains that his declaration on the application form is true and correct. In his letter he explains that the media coverage is “…nothing but a distraction from the important work both White Ribbon and the Glenn Inquiry are doing in relation to child abuse and domestic violence in New Zealand.”

Sir Owen goes on to say, “consequently I would ask that my application be withdrawn as a White Ribbon Ambassador”.

On behalf of the White Ribbon Committee, I have accepted Sir Owen’s decision, and appreciate that he has put the reputation and work of the White Ribbon Campaign at the forefront of his decision.

Sir Owen stands by his statement that he is living violence-free, and that he has no history of violence towards women or children. Unless there is evidence to the contrary, we must take Sir Owen at his word.

Men’s violence against women is at epidemic levels in our country. This is simply nothing to be proud about, and the White Ribbon Campaign will continue to ask men to stand up and influence other men.

Peter Boshier

White Ribbon Committee Chair

Previous statements about appointing White Ribbon Ambassadors

For media please contact
Rob McCann
White Ribbon Campaign Manager 

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Appointing White Ribbon Ambassadors

June 30, 2013 by

Peter Boshier - Chief Family Court Judge copy

Judge Peter Boshier
White Ribbon Committee Chair

In light of the allegations against Sir Owen Glenn and his potential role as a White Ribbon Ambassador in the White Ribbon Campaign, it is in the best interests of the community to know what steps are taken when appointing ambassadors.

Ambassadors embody the principles of the campaign. They are chosen by the White Ribbon Committee for their willingness to challenge the behaviour of abusive men, and to convey key messages directly to their own communities.

To ensure the integrity of the campaign, a strict nomination process takes place which includes interviews, a New Zealand Police Check and a wider community check. Nomination forms can be downloaded here.

sir owen glenn

Sir Owen Glenn

Nominees must also sign a statement that they are living violence-free lives, and will uphold the White Ribbon pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women. All men are asked to disclose any previous convictions for violent or abusive behaviour.

Sir Owen’s representatives have informed me in my role as chair of the White Ribbon Committee, that Sir Owen did not include this new information in his nomination as a White Ribbon Ambassador because Sir Owen stands by his declarations that he was and is violence free.

The White Ribbon Committee will consider this information, as we would all other ambassadors.

White Ribbon is an international campaign to end men’s violence towards women. We will continue to support the White Ribbon Ambassador project utilising men to speak and influence other men.

We will continue to embrace men who have always been violence free, and those men who have rejected the use of violence knowing that they have a vital role to play in effecting change.

Judge Peter Boshier

White Ribbon Committee Chair

click here for the Sunday Star Times Article

Statement from Sir Owen Glenn

The Glenn Inquiry

click here for the Glenn Inquiry

“It saddens me that yet again it appears the New Zealand media is delving into my personal life to fill their pages while New Zealand is ranked the third highest country in the world for rape and this issue goes virtually unreported. Within the past 12 months I have signed two declarations, which I stand by, that state that I am living violence-free and that I have no history of violence towards women or children. These declarations are accurate in all respects. There was no truth to the allegation from almost 11 years ago. My regret now is that I didn’t take the matter to court, however after two years of dispute in the American court system and at the strong advice of my American lawyer I resolved the case in Hawaii to avoid further horrendous court costs and to bring the matter to an end on an agreed basis which resulted in an order of dismissal in October 2004. My motivation behind the Glenn Inquiry is our appalling statistics particularly that we have the fifth worst child abuse rates in the OECD. What a shame media don’t put this time and energy into encouraging the public to adopt zero tolerance towards this behaviour in our country.”

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