Police from around New Zealand will be wearing white ribbons to show their support of White Ribbon Day which makes a stand on violence towards women and families.
Officers will be wearing the White Ribbon while on duty on the 25 November which is recognised by the United Nations as the international day for the Elimination of Violence towards Women.
"A key focus for the NZ Police is to reduce violence within families and whanau, to hold offenders accountable for their behaviour, and to work with other agencies to keep victims and children safe," says Inspector Ged Byers, Police National Family Violence Coordinator. " By wearing the White Ribbon, Police support the Families Commission and other various organisations to prevent violence and the distressing effects it has on individuals, family whanau, iwi and all communities within New Zealand."
Throughout NZ, communities are organising activities which aim to raise awareness of violence towards women and children. Police support these activities and encourage everyone to get involved.
White ribbons will be given out to members of the public at places like railway stations and central shopping areas. Other activities include a White Ribbon Day Motorbike Ride, BBQ's and a White Ribbon Day race in Wellington. Police Family Violence Intervention Teams and Family Violence Coordinators play a major part in raising the awareness of violence in the home as mitigating risks for families.
In 2008/09 financial year Police attended over 73,000 family violence occurrences. In most cases women were the primary victims. This is also reflected in the deaths and injuries inflicted on women and children.
Police are working closely with many organisations like Women's Refuge, Victim Support, the National Network of Stopping Violence Services and many others, in raising awareness of this issue by supporting the international White Ribbon Day.
"Violence in any form is not acceptable; to break the cycle we need to work together collectively to make our homes safe," says Inspector Byers.
ENDS
Media contact:
Sara Stavropoulos
Media Adviser, Public Affairs, PNHQ
04 470 7031