Community family violence campaigns around the country

A new page on the It’s not OK website captures some of the many local family violence campaigns run around the country. The community stories describe activities undertaken with  Councils, sports clubs, businesses and other organisations. Community members also talk about local responses to the campaigns and future plans.

Upper Hutt City Council Director of Community Services Andrea Curtis highlighted the importance of the campaign being both nationwide and localised. She said, "Without the nationwide Campaign I think people wouldn't see the bigger picture."

"The big thing about the Campaign was its nationwide presence and funding, but it could be localised. That's the strength of the Campaign. So people can't say, 'It doesn't affect me. It doesn't affect my community.'"

A snapshot of a few activities are below.

On the West Coast of the South Island, quirky local messages featured, including ‘Batter your Fish not your Families' and ‘Don't blow your fuse. Take time out before the sparks start flying' (an electrician). Locally known people were asked to come up with their own message against family violence, using their occupation or hobby as a springboard. Hokitika spokesperson Ned Tauwhare said, "Locals love our West Coast flavoured messages which means they are listening to what we are saying and talking to each other about it."

In Upper Hutt, It’s not OK partnered with with New Zealand Defence Forces, based at Trentham Camp, on a local campaign. The New Zealand Defence Force also developed a comprehensive strategy including providing training and education. It also developed a policy to ensure responses to disclosures of family violence are appropriate and to encourage leadership on this issue.

Among the places Taupo residents and visitors see It's not OK messages are three mobility taxis that turn campaign slogans into moving billboards.

Ttogether with It's not OK, the Poverty Bay Rugby Club developed a comprehensive family violence awareness programme. Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union CEO Neil Alton said, "One of our ex-representative players crossed the line and committed some very serious offences. ... This made it clear to me that if there is one, then there could be others and the only way to stop it from happening is to take a proactive stance and get the message out to our membership."

A request from a student at Auckland’s Unitec led to It's not OK's first partnership with a tertiary institution, including a campaign of events, social media, publications,training and campus-wide coverage.

To see more community stories, click here.

It's not OK encourages groups planning for new projects in 2013 to have a look at these examples. The Creating Change toolkit also contains ideas and tools.

If you'd like to share information about what you’ve achieved and learnt from a community action project, or need help or want to talk through your ideas, contact It's not OK.