Next week people in Rodney are encouraged to demonstrate their commitment to ending family violence by taking part in White Ribbon Day.
Tuesday November 25th is International White Ribbon Day. White Ribbon Day aims to raise awareness about family violence and about violence against women in particular. The day is an opportunity for people show that they think family violence is unacceptable by wearing a white ribbon.
Family Violence is a significant problem in Rodney. Local services are helping increasing numbers of families needing assistance as a result of family violence.
Between October 2007 and October 2008, Hestia Rodney Women’s Refuge provided shelter for 1,670 bednights and helped 792 women and children in the Rodney community.
The New Zealand Police recorded 1,004 incidents of family violence in the District between July 2007 and June 2008.
A number of local groups have collaborated to organise five events to mark White Ribbon Day on November 25th. Events will be held at the following locations:
- in Helensville outside Woolworths,
- in Wellsford outside Postie Plus,
- in Warkworth next to Lee & Hart’s Pharmacy,
- in the Whangaparaoa Plaza, and
- in Orewa, on Moana Ave, outside the Orewa library.
All events will begin at 11:30 am and end at 3:30 pm.
Each event will provide free white ribbons, information about family violence, and balloons for children. Most events will include free sausage sizzles and performances from local student groups.
White Ribbon Day events are once again being supported and partially funded by Rodney District Council.
Deputy Mayor John Kirikiri says that domestic violence is often hidden from the community and that, “there are many people affected by violence right here in Rodney.”
“The Council supports White Ribbon Day as a way of saying that we won’t tolerate domestic violence in this District and that everyone has the right to be treated with respect. “
In addition to raising awareness about family violence, the White Ribbon Day stalls will provide information about local support services and will have community workers present to answer questions about family violence.
“White Ribbon Day is an opportunity as a community to show that we will not support family violence but we will support people to make changes in their lives,” says one of the event organisers Diane Woolson Neville, of Te Rito Rodney Family Violence Prevention Project.
There are a number of local organisations who can provide support for women and families experiencing violence.
Hestia Womens’s Refuge provide community support, advocacy and emergency accommodation to those affected by family violence. They can be contacted by phoning: 09 425 0452 in Warkworth/Wellsford, 09 427 5154 in Orewa/Whangaparaoa, 09 420 6083 in Helensville or 0800 321 361 to reach the emergency paging service.
Rodney Stopping Violence Services provide violence prevention programmes and counselling for men, women and children and can be contacted on 09 425 8130.
For further information and comment, please contact:
Diane Woolson Neville Paul Green
Te Rito Rodney Rodney District Council
Phone 09 426 6524 Phone 0800 426 5169
Paul.Green@rodney.govt.nz