Start a conversation this White Ribbon Day

As part of this year’s White Ribbon Day, we celebrate the men and boys in our lives willing to commit to promoting safe and healthy relationships.

Steph Rotarangi, Deputy National Commander and White Ribbon Day Ambassador, said, ‘White Ribbon Day is a great day to have a conversation about the steps we can all take to reduce the amount of family violence in our country’. 

‘It’s also the perfect day to check in on our own attitudes and challenge each other on behaviours that are abusive. There are eight actions(external link) that we can all do (scroll to the bottom of the linked page) and loads of other resources on the White Ribbon website’. 

Check out Steph’s kōrero with National Commander Russell Wood:

SR: What are your thoughts on the importance of White Ribbon Day?

RW: I think it is very important, given my role as a father to two daughters who I believe shouldn’t be made to feel devalued, emotionally harmed - or worse - physically threatened, just because they are women.

White Ribbon Day is not something that I’ve historically been actively involved in; rather, I was something of a ‘passive consumer’. But when I see some of the vitriol and poor behaviours exhibited against women via social media or the actual physical violence inflicted on women both domestically and around the world, it’s now more important to take an overt stand against such behaviours. I think this is particularly imperative given I work in a very male-dominated organisation, in a very male-dominated industry.

SR: Are there any of the eight actions(external link) that you will be trying this year?

RW: I have taken the White Ribbon pledge(external link) and signed up to ‘Treat women as equals in everything I do’ action which I think is key, given my senior leadership role within Fire and Emergency.

SR: What’s your message to Fire and Emergency personnel this White Ribbon Day?

RW: I particularly liked the piece of advice I received after taking the White Ribbon pledge and I think it’s very relevant for the men at Fire and Emergency: to check in with ourselves to assess whether we are treating women the same as we would men. Do we use the same words and names for both? Our men might need to get some feedback from women and consider what that might be saying about our behaviour that we may not even be aware of.

To help ends men’s violence, check out these eight actions:
(external link)

No one should experience unwanted behaviour, either at their workplace or at home. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call 111 if you’re in immediate danger.

There is also a list of organisations below that can provide support, and we have our own wellbeing support(external link) available too.

If you are concerned about your own behaviour, help is available(external link).

Shine*: 0508-744-633 2shine.org.nz(external link)(external link) or https://www.2shine.org.nz/get-help/helpline(external link)(external link)

Women's Refuge: 0800 733 843 womensrefuge.org.nz(external link)(external link) or https://womensrefuge.org.nz/get-help/(external link)(external link)

Shakti Crisis line: 0800 SHAKTI/0800 742 584 or https://shakti-internatorg/shakati-new-zealand/(external link)(external link)

National Network of Family Violence Services: https://nnsvs.org.nz/#home(external link)(external link)

Male Survivors Aotearoa: https://malesurvivor.nz/contact/(external link)(external link)

Safe to talk sexual harm helpline: 0800 044334 or support@safetotalk.nz

Victim Support: 0800 VICTIM/0800 842 846

Rape Crisis: 0800 88 3300

Elder Abuse: 0800 32 66865

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865

What's up? 0800 WHATSUP/ 0800 942 8787

Lifeline Helpline: 0800 543 354

OUTLine (LGBTIQ+ support): 0800 802 43

Youthline: 0800 376 633