Sign of times that violence not OK

A message that family violence will not be tolerated has taken its place on the wall next to New Plymouth's police station.

The Family Violence is NOT OK sign replaces the Think Before You Buy Under 18s Drink message which was painted over earlier this month.

The sign, which has been organised by the Taranaki Safe Families Trust and Collaborative, was officially unveiled yesterday to coincide with White Ribbon Day – an international campaign to stop violence against women.

Taranaki Safe Families Trust chairwoman Mary Beaumont said family violence was a community problem which needed the entire community's support to eliminate it.

"Our families need to be safe places where children are able to achieve their full potential," she said.

Janice Jessiman, Taranaki Women's Refuge manager and member of the collaborative, said any violence within families was intolerable. "Violence isn't just physical abuse. Emotional or verbal behaviour used to control someone through fear is also violence," she said.

However, the good news is Taranaki is leading the way in successful prosecutions of men who assault women. In New Plymouth last year 80 per cent of cases against males for assaulting a female resulted in a conviction while in Hawera 81 per cent of cases ended in conviction.

In other parts of the country the conviction rate was as low as 50 per cent.

Police family violence co-ordinator Detective Sergeant Dave Beattie said while the statistics were pleasing more could be done.

"There is always room for improvement," he said.

Tomorrow The White Ribbon Ride 09 will be at New Plymouth's Puke Ariki Landing from 4.30pm.

There will be live music, giveaways, a sausage sizzle and the Super Maori Fullas. If wet it will be held at the Huatoki Plaza.

On Sunday a Family Challenge Day will be held at Yarrow Stadium, on field three from 1pm to 4pm, featuring a treasure hunt, bouncy castles, face painting and other activities.

The Taranaki District Health Board's Child and Adolescent Community Centre is also holding a week-long promotion to support the cause, which includes craft activities and a demonstration by a hearing dog handler.

- © Fairfax NZ News