Men are being asked to "man up" and make a stand against family violence by taking part in a tug of war challenge marking White Ribbon Day this week.
Tug of war was popular with social service agencies as a fun family day out last year and the same is expected this week.
But Tauranga Moana Abuse Prevention Strategy's Mandy Fisher said while the event was great she hoped it would not overshadow what the White Ribbon message was actually about.
"It's about men making a stand against violence towards women and promoting healthy family relationships," Ms Fisher said.
In the Western Bay of Plenty there are on average 260 reports of family violence made to police each month. In October there were 252 reports and Ms Fisher said this month was already increasing on the average.
"We had 70 reports the other day."
Ms Fisher said that was significantly high.
"It's a common problem and yes, families do go through struggles. But the biggest shame is if they don't ask for help," Ms Fisher said.
She said the White Ribbon message was important to remind people that family violence was not okay and there was help available, especially for men feeling under pressure or embarrassed.
"I think they need to know it's okay to ask for help. It's always 'man up' or 'toughen up' but it's a strong thing to ask for help."
Ms Fisher said society had changed a lot from the days where the expression Rule of Thumb originated - the saying is said to derive from a 1782 English law that allowed a man to beat his wife with a stick so long as it is was no thicker than his thumb.
"My hope is that we are changing the culture of violence," Ms Fisher said.
This message was the essence behind Thursday's White Ribbon Day event.
"It's about making a difference with the whole community. It's a way of saying everybody can make a difference."
Bay-based entertainer Brendan Horan will MC the event and teams from throughout the region have already registered to compete in the tug of war challenge. Teams can register by contacting Mandy on (07) 571 7542 or tmaps.nz@gmail.com.
The tug of war challenge will be held at Fraser Cove Mall carpark from 5.30pm on Thursday.
WHITE RIBBON
Wednesday: Members of the Super Maori Fullas and the Patriots Defence Force Motorcycle Club will tie white ribbons around trees in the centre of Te Puke's main street. The riders will have just completed a white ribbon ride around the North Island, which began in Tauranga on Saturday.
Thursday: A lunchtime sausage sizzle will be held outside the Te Puke Community Centre and Bay of Plenty Steamers player Tanerau Latimer will help centre staff hand out information packs.
In Tauranga the Zonta group will hand out white ribbons in the Mid City Mall at lunchtime on Thursday.
In Otumoetai, the people who work to prevent violence in the region will be thanked in a ceremony at City Church Tauranga, where candles will be lit for victims.
WHERE TO TURN TO FOR HELP
Tauranga Living With Violence Collective, Cameron Rd, (07) 577 9297
Beach Haven Community House, Papamoa, (07) 542 1725
Tauranga Family Works Hillier Centre, Bayfair, (07) 575 9709
Relationship Services, Brookfield, (07) 576 8392
Tauranga Moana Abuse Prevention Strategy, Tauranga, (07) 571 7542
Police, Western Bay of Plenty, 111 in emergencies, (07) 577 4300 for Tauranga station
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
