Aucklanders march against family violence for White Ribbon Day

A display of solidarity for those affected by family violence on Auckland's Queen St took place this morning.

Around a hundred people gathered in Auckland's Myers Park after the march, holding black and white banners and and wearing white ribbons - a symbol of their fight to bring an end to family violence.

Guest of honour and Minister for Women Louise Upston spoke about the importance of raising awareness around family violence.

"There are real lives that are affected by this," she said.

She acknowledged White Ribbon Day's ability to raise awareness about success stories and how as a society we can continue to prevent violence.

"We need to look at what the individual challenges are that we need to address in individual whanau and communities.

"Hopefully next year there will be far less stories ... we must be able to stop this ... but it's not one person that can stop this, it's what we all do."

Ms Upston made reference to her own past regrets of not speaking out when she should have.

She hoped events such as today's march would help more people to speak out when needed.

White Ribbon volunteer Jan Hofmann admitted it was his girlfriend that had brought him along - but agreed it was a worthy cause to help with.

"Every person can make a small difference here."

Around a hundred people have gathered in Auckland's Myers Park holding black and white banners and wearing white ribbons. Photo / Corazon Miller

A survivor of domestic violence, Raewyn Smith, shared her story with those gathered.

She'd grown up as a child with domestic violence in her home, before ending up in a "horrific" marriage for 13 years.

Ms Smith eventually escaped, but had to go into hiding for nine years.

"At my lowest point I was 28 kilos, for the first three years they didn't know if I'd live," she said. "But yay, I did and I thank God for that."

She finished her speech with a song that describes the turmoil of being in an abusive relationship.

Representative of the Anglican Church, Reverend Sarah Clare, said it was important to speak out and share the message domestic violence was not okay.

"We need to not be silent, but to encourage people that mutual respect is what we need."

Reverend Nyasha Gumbeze said it was about equality.

"That's how we need to treat each other, as equals," she said. "For me, it's about not treating women as second class."

New Zealand police gave their full support to the day and closed off Queen St for the march.

Police commissioner and White Ribbon ambassador Mike Bush said it was an important day on the police calendar.

"White Ribbon's campaign to eliminate violence against women is one that is close to the heart of every police officer in New Zealand.

"Family violence causes great harm in our communities."

The theme of this year's White Ribbon campaign is "respectful relationships".

Mr Bush says key to preventing family violence is changing attitudes, "particularly among men who are responsible for the vast majority of violence that occurs in the home".

Recently appointed Chief Victims Advisor to Government, Dr Kim McGregor, said it was good to see so many men promoting the need to prevent violence against women.

"Today I encourage even more men to support the elimination of violence against women and to take ownership of this important issue, by continuing to be great role models or through seeking help if they need it."

Justice Minister Amy Adams said today was the day to highlight the need for a continued focus on reducing family and sexual violence which she said was a "horrific" problem in New Zealand.

"New Zealand has the highest reported rate of intimate partner violence in the developed world. We know that around half of all violent offence charges in our courts relate to family violence and in 86 per cent of cases of violence against intimate partners the victims are women.

"That's why I've made helping to reduce family and sexual violence one of my core priorities."

Statistics

•41 per cent of frontline police response is due to family violence.
•More than 3500 convictions are recorded against men each year for assaults on women.
•14 women a year are killed by partners or ex-partners.
•12,000 police committed to putting a stop to it.

Historic snapshot

1991: The first White Ribbon Campaign was launched by a group of men in Canada after the brutal mass shooting of 14 female students at the University of Montreal.
1999: The United Nations officially recognised November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
2004: UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women) introduced White Ribbon Day to New Zealand.
2006: The Families Commission embraced White Ribbon Day as part of its work to raise awareness of family violence and encourage social change.
2008: The funding base expanded, with contributions from Ministry of Health, Police, ACC, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Social Development.
2009: During 2009, the first White Ribbon Ambassador (Ruben Wiki) was appointed to provide leadership and use his public profile and support networks to spread the White Ribbon message.
2010: Over 510,000 white ribbons were distributed throughout New Zealand.
2011: The campaign introduced the White Ribbon Ride to the South Island and now reaches over 80 communities on its trip throughout New Zealand
2013: The Families Commission announced that the campaign was to move out of the Commission and a White Ribbon Trust was set up with the aim of taking over the campaign.

Where to get help

Rape Crisis: 0800 88 33 00
Women's Refuge: 0800 733 843
Victims Information helpline: 0800 650 654