Men stand together for community

STAND TALL: Members of the White Ribbon organising committee Karney Herewini (left), Peter Kaua, Terry Sarten, Tim Metcalfe and Jay Rerekura. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 141114WCSMRIBBON2

The White Ribbon campaign is a way of life, not just a once-a-year event, according to local organisers.

A group of around 12 local men are organising the annual White Ribbon March, to be held in Wanganui on Tuesday. The men are from a variety of organisations, from schools to domestic violence prevention groups.

Tim Metcalfe from Jigsaw Whanganui said the White Ribbon march has been held in Wanganui for at least five years, and was a way for men to pledge they would not commit or condone violence against women and children.

Mr Metcalfe said the event had been growing every year and last year around 500 men marched down Victoria Ave.

"It's not about pointing the finger at men, but about standing together. Every man who takes part in this march is important," Mr Metcalfe said.

Many of the men in the White Ribbon organising group have been involved with other domestic violence prevention programmes.

Karney Herewini from Nga Tai O Te Awa has been running a White Ribbon programme at Rutherford Junior High School for the past three months.

"There are about 10 boys who we think would benefit from this, and we're teaching them the White Ribbon kaupapa. It's been great to see them grow over the weeks," Mr Herewini said.

He said one of the projects the boys had been involved with was designing a White Ribbon T-shirt, which will be revealed during the march. Mr Herewini said the programme was a pilot and could be rolled out to other schools.

Peter Kaua, principal of Wanganui City College, said the junior students at his school had been learning about domestic violence through health classes run by the Whanganui District Health Board.

He said the entire school would take part in the White Ribbon March and other schools were also interested in attending.

-All men are welcome to the White Ribbon march, noon on Tuesday. Assemble at the corner of St Hill St and Taupo Quay.