White Ribbon Ambassador announced

The Families Commission is pleased to announce Ruben Wiki as the first White Ribbon Ambassador. Ruben will be actively raising awareness of men's violence against women as part of White Ribbon Day.

Ruben Wiki

White Ribbon Day is held each year on 25 November and is the international day when people wear a white ribbon to show that they do not condone violence towards women. In New Zealand most violence by men against women takes place in the home - each year an average of 14 women are killed by their partners or ex-partners and more than 3500 convictions for assaults on women are recorded each year.

As the first White Ribbon Ambassador, Ruben will be using his public profile to speak out against family violence and encourage men to put a stop to violence against women.

Ruben explains, "I am not a family violence expert, however I grew up in a house where my mother was beaten by her partner (not my father) and I know how scary that can be. I want to do what I can to help make sure this doesn't happen to other mothers and children."

Statistics released in the Family Violence Statistics Report 2009 report show that one in three women will experience partner violence at some point in their lives.

As a husband, and father of two, Ruben says he is always aware that he is a role model for his children. "As men, what we can do to help, is to speak up when men say or do things that we wouldn't want our sisters, wives or children to experience. We need to say it's not OK. If we come across violence in our families or our friends' families, we need to be able to assist them to get help. At the same time people need to know it's OK to ask for help."

Last year more than 500,000 New Zealanders pinned on white ribbons to register their personal commitment to standing up against violence and over 100 communities held events to raise awareness.

"As a White Ribbon Ambassador I want to help men realise that violence against women is not OK and that we, have a duty to our families, our friends and our whānau to stand up, acknowledge the problem and begin to change," says Ruben. "By wearing the white ribbon I'm saying that I will not commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women. I'm issuing a challenge to every man in our country to wear a white ribbon and make this pledge."

"Men must accept responsibility for their abusive behaviour" says Families Commissioner Bruce Pilbrow. "Men must also lead the change so that woman can live free from violence and fear. If we want other forms of violence to end, men need to show leadership. While Ruben is the first ambassador, a further five prominent New Zealand men will be announced to take up the challenge and encourage change," says Bruce.

The launch of the ambassador programe is being held at Friendship House in Manukau city where more than 160 people seek help each day visiting services or attending courses, which include the ‘Living Without Violence Programmes for Men'. Vicki Sykes, Director of Friendship House says, "We welcome Ruben as an ambassador for White Ribbon Day and look forward to working with him to build his knowledge base as he commits to learning more about the issues and advocates for change".

For further information on White Ribbon activities or logos and photos please visit the ‘get resources' section at whiteribbon.org.nz