Todd McClay: Time to take a stand against violence

Every week Rotorua police receive an average of 47 reports of family violence - men beating and abusing their wives and partners, often in front of their kids.

On Saturday the annual White Ribbon Ride was launched in Rotorua. The ride will see men on bikes drive across the country asking one important question: "Are you man enough to stop violence towards women?"

It is one of the White Ribbon Awareness Month's biggest initiatives to spread the anti-domestic violence message right across New Zealand and I was pleased to support it as it kicked off at the Lakefront.

This campaign is an opportunity to shed some light on an often taboo subject. It is about our communities taking a collective stand against abuse towards women.

This year I joined Mayor Kevin Winters, Deputy-Mayor Trevor Maxwell and others to pledge to speak out about violence towards women in our community.

Sadly, domestic violence is something which occurs regularly in all parts of New Zealand.

Sometimes called family violence, the term domestic violence seems to suggest that this type of crime is less destructive than others we hear about in the media. In my view, violence is just plain violence and it is as much a crime in the household as it is in our streets.

You see, protecting people in our communities is not just about keeping our streets safe - it is also about ensuring those who live here are not being subjected to harm and misery behind closed doors.

Every week Rotorua police receive an average of 47 reports of family violence - men beating and abusing their wives and partners, often in front of their kids. This frightening occurrence of violence in the home is unacceptable and it's time we collectively take a stand to say enough is enough.

We need to send a message to the men in our community who are harming their wives and partners - violence against women is not okay.

Family violence is not just a symptom of those who are economically less well off, in fact far from it.

It can strike anywhere, affecting the wealthiest to those who struggle to make ends meet.

To some it may seem easier to turn a blind eye and pretend that everything will be okay; for others, concern about their own safety might stop them from speaking out or seeking help for a neighbour or loved one.

The White Ribbon campaign is about giving those people a voice. Further, it is about encouraging people to advocate against violence towards women all year round.

Everybody deserves to live free and safe from abuse, including physical and psychological abuse.

Recently we heard our city would pilot the first Children's Teams in New Zealand, an initiative aimed at preventing the mistreatment of vulnerable children. This is welcome news for Rotorua but we need to go further and look at ways to protect whole families including wives, sisters, cousins and partners.

If you or someone you know is being abused, I urge you to contact the Rotorua police on (07) 349 9400 (this can be done anonymously).

Alternatively, call the 24-hour Women's Refuge Crisis Line on 0800 REFUGE. For more information about where and how to get help go to www.areyouok.org.nz or call 0800 456 450.