Half a million ribbons mark White Ribbon Day (25 November)

White Ribbon Day (25 November) is the international day when people, particularly men, wear a white ribbon to show they won't tolerate, condone or remain silent about violence against women.

The Commission helps co-ordinate resources and promotion of White Ribbon Day and says more than half a million white ribbons have been sent out around the country. This is 100,000 more than last year and more than double the number sent out in 2006.

"Whether you are a father, brother, husband, uncle, granddad or cousin - we all want to keep our families safe. We all want our children to grow up and have happy healthy relationships," said Commissioner Gregory Fortuin.

Over the next few weeks, businesses, sports clubs, city and district councils, hospitals and community groups in towns and cities throughout New Zealand will be involved in some sort of activity marking White Ribbon Day. (Check out the events page on www.whiteribbon.org.nz to find out what is happening in your community.)

Many of these activities focus on encouraging men to talk openly about family violence and challenge comments or behaviour that is abusive.

"We need to remember that most men are not violent and they can be active and powerful influences on other men. Challenging someone's abusive behaviour or attitudes doesn't have to be a big deal. A quiet comment that shows not all men share their attitudes about women and violence can make a difference," he said.

The Commission, which is also a leader in the It's Not OK campaign, says no family violence is acceptable. If someone within the family is being frightened or intimidated by the behaviour of someone else, it is not OK.

Major White Ribbon Day supporting organisations:

• UNIFEM
• Families Commission
• NZ Police
• UNICEF
• YWCA
• Women's Refuge
• Jigsaw
• Save the Children
• Amnesty International
• Relationship Services
• YMCA
• ACC
• Human Rights Commission
• Ministry of Women's Affairs
• Ministry of Social Development
• Auckland Regional Public Health Service
• Preventing Violence in the Home
• Barnardos
• Department of Corrections
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Justice
• National Network of Stopping Violence Services
• Ministry of Education
• Te Puni Kokiri