Whangarei anti-domestic violence campaigner John McGrath called on Whangarei Boys' High students to help stamp out abuse at a ceremony to celebrate his appointment as a new ambassador for White Ribbon.
Mr McGrath, whose sister Patricia Ann McGrath was killed in a highly public case of domestic violence in January last year, urged students to rise up against domestic violence at yesterday's ceremony.
"[My family has] been put on this journey whether we like it or not, and we want you to join us on the journey to stamp out domestic violence. We are counting on you young men to be the change," he said.
Phillip Andre Mahanga, 33, was sentenced to three years' jail in July last year for the manslaughter of 34-year-old mother-of-two Patricia, who was known as Wowo.
Mr McGrath joined the anti-domestic violence movement only days after his sister's death by leading a march through Whangarei.