The 111 Files: Domestic violence everyone's problem

Rotorua Safer Families Co-ordinator Kiti Ransfield-King and Inspector Bruce Horne at the White Ribbon Bicycle ride last year. Photo / Supplied

Car chases and armed offender call-outs make for exciting TV, but crisis intervention is only a very small part of the picture when it comes to creating a safer community. To be effective, a modern police service needs two things; the support of the public you serve and effective partnerships.

Last week we profiled Darryl Parker who is co-ordinating the "Big Brothers, Big Sisters" mentoring programme.

This week I want to introduce you to Kiti Ransfield-King, who is the Rotorua Safer Families Co-ordinator; which means Kiti plays an important role in helping us all reduce family violence.

Kiti has been in her current role for about six months, but has been working to prevent family violence for years. When I approached Kiti about this article, she immediately acknowledged the inspiration she had drawn from Te Orohi Paul, a tireless champion for the White Ribbon campaign who tragically passed away late last year.

One of Kiti's many jobs is co-ordinating the organisation of the annual White Ribbon campaign and supporting events in Rotorua. Every year New Zealand joins with dozens of other countries around the world to commemorate White Ribbon Day, the United Nations International Day for the elimination of violence against women. The essence of the White Ribbon strategy is community engagement. In other words, mobilising your whole community so that everyone understands the problem; and even more importantly, everyone understands what they can do in their wee corner of the world to stop it. Finding ways to get our whole community mobilised against family violence is one of Kiti's bigger projects over the next 12 months. OK. It's a really big project.

Although the White Ribbon Campaign was born in Canada in 1991, it was been building momentum in New Zealand for more than a decade. The New Zealand communities who have embraced the White Ribbon strategy have shown that it really can make a difference, and that is our hope for Rotorua.

So how can you help Kiti make a positive difference in our community? There are actually 1001 things you can do, but here are a few ideas:

-Commit to wearing a white ribbon - every day. When you wear a white ribbon you are making a powerful statement. A white ribbon silently tells every victim of family violence that you are on their side; and it tells every offender they need to stop. And those who don't know about White Ribbon are going to ask you - "What are you wearing that for?"

-Use your business to raise awareness about White Ribbon. There are a bunch of simple, but really impacting things you can do to support the White Ribbon cause. If you give Kiti a call she can talk you through some of the options.

-Start a conversation with your friends and family. White Ribbon started when one woman confronted three of her male friends and challenged them to do something to stop other men being violent toward women. That one conversation was the catalyst for a movement that grew to have an impact all around the world.

-Volunteer to support victims of family violence. If you have ever met a woman who has been a victim of family violence, you will know how destructive and debilitating it is. They need support, and we need to increase the volunteer support base to fill that gap.

You can contact Kiti on (07) 348 5051, or email her at saferfamilies@twptnz.org.