White Ribbon Day 2007

Police, construction workers, musicians, scuba divers, office workers and other men from all walks of life, began wearing white ribbons several days before Sunday 25 November.

In all, over 400,000 white ribbons and 10,000 posters were distributed by the Families Commission throughout the country – double the 2006 number and reflecting the growing interest from the public in showing they are against violence towards women. 

Public awareness of White Ribbon is growing rapidly with more and larger events held throughout the country. It was wonderful to see so many communities embracing the concept and putting enormous amounts of energy and enthusiasm into their local events.

There was a great deal of news media coverage, most of it in the regional and community newspapers, showing very clearly that this is a grassroots movement. Press release about White Ribbon.

Many men told their stories and talked about the support and help that had helped them to change their behaviour. A few of the events from around the country are listed below:

There was a mass shout-out at Whangarei’s Okara Park with people gathering to shout out against violence.

Over a thousand people marched through west Auckland to show their support for White Ribbon Day, including Health Minister David Cunlifffe, Māori Party co-leader Pita Sharples, Labour MP Lynne Pillay and ex All Blacks winger Inga Tuigamala.

In Takpauna the Rose Gardens provided a great venue for a promotion that included information stalls, sausage sizzles and music.

In Te Kuiti, White Ribbon Day was marked with the launch of a local family violence services directory.

In Hamilton, families held a celebration in Garden Place and enjoyed the free barbecue.

In Whakatane, residents in Henderson Street held a street party and barbecue to get to know their neighbours.

Rotorua people met up in the city to celebrate the day, and hear from speakers such as local police area commander Inspector Bruce Horne.

Wanganui held an event in Majestic Square which included information stalls for services available to help those seeking help.

In Gisborne, there were several large events including a discussion by a panel of community leaders on local solutions to family violence. One of the largest events was a march through part of the town.

Wairarapa’s White Ribbon Day included a daily ‘spot the ribbon’ competition and a large festival on Sunday.

In Wellington there were a range of events in suburbs and the city. Choirs sang at the Railway Station and at Midland Park while ribbons were handed out to the public, there was a celebration in Civic Square and in Porirua people gathered to put their handprints on a banner, illustrating the theme – including a Hands Against Violence.

Hands featured in the Paraparaumu event with locals gathering along the beach and linking hands as a symbolic “holding back the tide of violence’.

In Nelson there was a similar march supported by the Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne, police district family violence coordinator Senior Sergeant Ross Lienert and a Commissioner for the Families Commission, Lyn Campbell. White ribbons were also tied to the trees outside the hospital emergency department entrance.

A local awareness raising campaign was launched in Oamaru with a walk through the Oamaru gardens followed by a picnic.

Dunedin’s main event was a street march followed by a community concert at the Octagon.

Queenstown celebrated with a panel discussion on the how to change attitudes and behaviour toward family violence. There was also a free event at a local hotel.

In Southland the day was marked with a pot luck tea at St John’s Church hall lounge.

 

Over 100 men from all walks of life gathered in Wellington’s Civic Square to take part in a photo shoot for next year’s White Ribbon poster.	Taking a break at the Waitakere White Ribbon Day march.	Masterton district councillor Jonathon Hooker puts up a big white ribbon on the town’s Oasis building – a hub for community activities.

 

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