Small symbol, important message
BY CLAIRE CONNELL
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The anti-violence message will be aired in Market Place today as part of White Ribbon Day.
The White Ribbon Day campaign, held on November 25 every year, aims to raise awareness of violence against women. White ribbons are given out in exchange for a donation.
Every year in New Zealand an average of 14 women are killed by their partners or ex-partners and more than 3500 convictions for assaults on women are recorded.
Blenheim police attend between 15 and 20 domestic-violence-related callouts a week, with an average 30 per cent repeat offenders.
Blenheim constable Bridget Taylor said one in three women could expect to experience some form of domestic violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime.
"White ribbons are small symbols of a big issue. We ask everyone to lead by example to ensure our family and friends know that violence is not acceptable, and to get this message through to the wider community
" Don't turn a blind eye to what might be going on. Violence in families will only stop when we all join in to put an end to it."
Marlborough Women's Refuge manager Rachel Black said awareness of domestic violence was very important and White Ribbon Day was always well supported in Marlborough.
A sausage sizzle was to be held from 12 midday till 1pm in Market Place today and the barbecue, also known as the "Blokes BBQ", was to be manned by Marlborough mayor Alistair Sowman. Blenheim police would hand out white ribbons.
The sausage sizzle has been organised by the The Marlborough Violence Intervention Programme. All proceeds will go to Marlborough Women's Refuge.
- The Marlborough Express
