Bikers' anti-violence message

VIOLENCE BUSTERS: More than a dozen motorcycle riders and their passengers taking part in the violence-free promoting White Ribbon Ride from Auckland to Southland are heading to the Wairarapa. PHOTO/FILE

The violence-free message is rolling into the Wairarapa along with more than a dozen motorcycle riders and their passengers.

In the lead up to White Ribbon Day on November 25, the riders taking part in Ride Ribbon 2013 left Rotorua on Saturday, arriving in Upper Hutt yesterday where the group split into two riding teams tackling both sides of the North Island - stopping along the way to spread their message.

Half of the group, called the East Wind, head north from Upper Hutt today arriving in Featherston at Family Works on Fox St where they stop between 4pm and 5pm before heading to Greytown's Papawai Marae to spend the night.

Tomorrow the riders and their passengers arrive at Carterton Primary School around 8.30am before riding into Masterton's Lakeview School for a two hour stop around 10am before heading north.

The East Wind riders will be led by former Masterton man Takurua Tawera.

White Ribbon campaign manager Rob McCann said this year the campaign was focusing on men taking the pledge to never condone or remain silent about violence towards women.

Statistics show:

One in three women will experience partner violence at some point in their lives.

Fewer than 20 per cent of abuse cases are reported but on average about 14 Kiwi women are killed by partners or ex-partners every year.

More than 3500 convictions are recorded annually against men for assaults on women.

The key messages of the White Ribbon Campaign is violence towards women is unacceptable, that violence isn't just physical and that men are part of the solution.

Mr McCann said they were calling men to take action, sign the pledge and ensure they take action against inappropriate behaviour.

For advice if you are being abused, call helplines on (freephone) 0800 456 450 or 0800 733 843 or go to www.nnsvs.org.nz or call police.

If you want to take the pledge to stand against violence go to whiteribbon.org.nz.