Sports stars Blow the Whistle on Family Violence

Eight of the country’s sporting best have stepped forward to be the ambassadors of a family violence campaign being run nationwide leading up to the Rugby World Cup. Richard Kahui, Liam Messam, Jenny May Coffin, Peter McGlashan, Paul Henare, Melodie Robinson, Josh Kronfeld and Ruben Wiki have all put their hands up, to help send a clear message throughout the country. The campaign uses the language of sport to drive home the message that help is available and we all have a role to play in keeping families safe. The campaign was created initially in 2007 and ran in Tauranga during the last Rugby World Cup. It received 1st prize at the NZ Community Safety and Injury Prevention Awards in 2008. The campaign will run nationwide during August and September, with community networks from Whangarei to Invercargill poised, in preparation, to launch the campaign locally in their cities and towns. Communities are coming up with their own initiatives and events to use the Blow the Whistle 2011 materials to make the campaign their own, ranging from marching displays using the whistles, to family fun days at local rugby clubs, with cardboard cut-outs of the ambassadors. If you would like to be involved in this campaign or connect with activities being organised in your area, please email info@blowthewhistle.co.nz or call Peter on 021 273 4456. For more information, please visit www.blowthewhistle.co.nz or to www.facebook.com/pages/Blow-the-Whistle-2011/190498307655361 From the NZ Herald online: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=522...