New Zealand White Ribbon Day 2014

White Ribbon Day, 25 November, is the internationally recognised day when men wear a white ribbon to show they do not condone violence towards women. Find out more about the international White Ribbon Campaign and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The New Zealand White Ribbon Campaign takes place during the whole month of November. It is driven by the White Ribbon Campaign team and a range of community groups, NGOs and businesses across the country. The 2014 Campaign was launched on 18 November with three White Ribbon Ambassadors completing a Sky Walk on Auckland's Sky Tower to help raise awareness of the Campaign. The Sky Tower will also be lit up in white at 10pm on the eve of White Ribbon Day, to call attention to the message that violence against women is unacceptable.

This year the Campaign is rolling out the global event Walk a Mile In Her Shoes®. Established in 2001 by Frank Braid in America, Walk a Mile involves men walking in high heels, while providing the opportunity to talk about the ramifications of sexual, physical and emotional abuse towards women. The New Zealand Police will be participating in an event in Takapuna on November 27.

The White Ribbon Ride takes place between 18-29 November. A lead group of motorcycle riders steer three convoys through towns in the North and South Island, picking up support riders in regions along the way. Events are organised in towns providing the opportunity to talk about violence. Visit the website for more information and the route schedule.

The Campaign has appointed Police Commissioner Mike Bush as a White Ribbon Ambassador. Ambassadors build support, visibility and develop a shared understanding of the Campaign within their social groups, workplaces and communities. Commissioner Bush said, "As a society, we have to move forward from being aware of the violence, to take more action. To hold people to account and provide the help that they need. Only then will we start to create a violence free future for nga whānau. This is what I hope together we can achieve."

New Zealand Police are partnering with Pacific communities and NGOs for White Ribbon activities under the Pacific Prevention of Domestic Violence Programme (PPDVP). Part of the programme involves sporting champions to raise awareness with young men and boys. This year seven NZ rugby players will be in Vanuatu to promote the "Break the Silence End the Violence" message as well as sharing their passion for rugby through coaching and skills sessions.

Christchurch singer Eric Keepa has gifted the single 'Another Door' from his album (due out in 2015) to White Ribbon. The single is available to download from iTunes, with all proceeds going to the New Zealand White Ribbon Campaign.

A range of groups around the country are hosting White Ribbon Day events. The Canterbury campaign was launched at the Christchurch Women's Prison with Police, Corrections, the District Health Board and the City Council. It is supported by the social media campaign #EndViolence4Canterbury. People are invited to take a selfie with the "I Stand Up Against Violence" sign and share the image on Facebook or Twitter using the campaign hashtag. Signs can be printed from the Canterbury Family Violence Collaboration website. Christchurch will also hold a community march on 25 November. The recently named Rīpene Mā Reserve (White Ribbon Reserve), which honours those who have lost their lives to violence, will officially open on 27 November.

Palmerston North will launch the North Island White Ribbon Ride on 22 November as well as hosting a Walk a Mile in her Shoes event. The Te Rito Wellington Family Violence Network are holding a White Ribbon Mountain Bike Relay on 23 November at Mt Victoria. Tauranga are holding the annual Tug-o-War event at Fraser Cove on 28 November, to be attended by the White Ribbon Riders. Presbyterian Support has called for churches to plant White Ribbons in their grounds from 23 to 25 of November as a silent protest against family violence.

Educational resources to support local White Ribbon events are available to download from the following websites:

The New Zealand White Ribbon Campaign provides Campaign messages to inform White Ribbon speakers, The Pledge promotion material, ideas and help for organising your event, resources to raise awareness at the White Ribbon shop and White Ribbon Ambassadors to attend your event.

White Ribbon Australia provides a range of downloadable fact sheets.

Women's Refuge provide free downloadable resources on their website including a Quick Quiz "Are you being abused?" as well as Safety Plans, practical guides, kits and pamphlets for women experiencing abuse and support people.

It's Not OK provide free downloadable resources on their website including a "How Can You Help" and "It is OK to ask for Help" booklets.

The New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse provides an Overview of Family Violence Factsheet and a Family Violence and Gender Fact Sheet, downloadable from the website.