Today, 25 November, has been formally recognised by the United Nations as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The global White Ribbon campaign is also active throughout this week and aims to promote healthy masculinity and the great qualities of boys and men.
At Kia Puāwai, this week is important to us as it is an opportunity to raise awareness around family violence. In Aotearoa New Zealand, most violence committed by men against women happens within the home. On average, 14 women a year are killed by a partner or ex-partner. More than 3,500 men are convicted annually for assaults on women, and one in five women will experience sexual assault or sexual interference in their lifetime.
We are proud to be DVFREE Tick certified by family violence prevention charity Shine, meaning we ensure that any of our kaimahi impacted by family violence work in a safe and supportive environment. As part of this, we have a wonderful group of DVFREE First Responders, who are there to support and advise any kaimahi who may be affected by domestic violence.
Our Chief Executive Marion Heeney shares some of her thoughts around this important day below.
What is the importance of this week and related campaigns like White Ribbon Day for you?
It's a reminder of the importance of addressing gender-based violence and promoting gender equality and the key role White Ribbon Day plays in raising awareness and action against violence targeting women and girls.
As the proud mum of two sons, I am a firm believer that boys will be the men we teach them to be - caring, supportive, ethical, and respectful - this is how I have raised my boys since they were born. I also wanted them to be celebrated for all the awesome things about being a boy and ensure they had the tools to be a good human and live a healthy violence-free life - for them, their partners, and their children.
Why did Kia Puāwai decide to put the mahi in to achieve the DVFREE Tick certification?
I have worked in this sector for nearly my whole career. I have seen the impacts of family violence and family harm both as a professional and in my broader family and friend group. We know the impact on children who are exposed to or experience family harm/family violence is significant. We know the impact on adults who are living in physically and psychologically unsafe situations.
It's therefore important that we have the expertise to help adults and children become free from fear, violence and control - whether they are clients, family, or kaimahi.
How do you think we can best support those experiencing family violence?
Firstly, if it’s an emergency or you are concerned for someone's immediate safety, then dialling 111 is the best option. If you are unsure about what to do if someone you know is impacted by or perpetrating domestic violence, you can ring the Shine or other specialist helpline to get advice and support, taking care to not disclose information shared by that person without their permission, unless necessary to address a serious threat to safety. There is also more guidance at www.2shine.nz/helping-someone.
This week and beyond, let's encourage the boys and men in our lives to be confident in who they are - healthy masculinity is about being kind, empathetic, and finding peaceful resolutions to problems.
