National White Ribbon Day Men's Breakfast
Wellington restaurateur Steve Logan is putting his spatula to good use for White Ribbon Day (25 November).
This is the international day when people, particularly men, wear a white ribbon to show they won't tolerate violence against women.
Steve, of Wellington's Logan Brown Restaurant, has been a supporter of the campaign for the past two years and is one of several men who appear on the 2008 White Ribbon Day campaign poster.
This year Steve and business partner Al Brown, who co-host TVNZs Hunger for the Wild, have called in reinforcements from Citron's Rex Morgan to help out the national White Ribbon Day Men's Breakfast.
With the help of Wellington's KPR Catering, the three of them will be serving up breakfast to 120 men who are in some way or another supporting efforts to end family violence.
Steve says when it comes to family violence, men need to be role models for their sons, mates, and family.
"Men can speak up when they suspect the violence is occurring rather than turn a blind eye or consider it is not their business. Not acting is actually supporting the behaviour. Men can promote non-violence in sports clubs and work places to establish what is acceptable not only to their mates, but to all New Zealanders."
He says he won't tolerate violence in the home or in his kitchen. "A happy kitchen produces good food. Happy waiting staff mean happy customers."
Speakers at the event will include:
- Alfred Ngaro - community leader and parent educator, will speak about the importance of fatherhood and being a strong role model
- Neville Robertson - community psychologist and researcher into violence against women, on why men should get involved in the campaign
- Richard Clarke - the Breakers general manager, will talk about how he was inspired by the It's Not OK campaign to use his team's public image to help promote change
- Heather Henare - Chief Executive of Women's Refuge, will discuss how men can be allies and leaders in preventing family violence
- Hone Kaa - Senior Anglican minister and chair of national Maori child advocacy group Te Kahui Mana Ririki, will speak on how Māori men can contribute to violence-free whānau
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