Police across Hutt Valley show support for White Ribbon Day next week

Police across the Hutt Valley are again showing their support for White Ribbon Day next week.

White Ribbon day is held annually on the 25th of November and is a campaign led by men, to show they oppose any form of violence against women.

This year the focus of White Ribbon Day is on what men can do to change attitudes toward violence and developing a narrative around positive male role models.

The Hutt Valley Family Violence Network has organised a series of events to mark White Ribbon Day, including the annual Hot Rod Run where 50 hot rod and modified car enthusiasts will travel in convoy from Mitre 10 Mega in Upper Hutt from 9am to Mitre 10 Mega in Petone to mark the occasion.

Network spokesperson Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Borrell, officer in charge of Lower Hutt CIB says, "Every day, Police attend large numbers of family violence incidents throughout the Hutt Valley and across New Zealand. White Ribbon Day is another opportunity for Police to take a stand and say family violence is not okay."

Paul Borrell says the Hutt Valley Family Violence Network, which includes Police, remains committed to reducing the level of family violence within our communities and promoting respectful relationships.

He is encouraging Hutt Valley residents to show their support too by attending one of the many White Ribbon Day events planned, which include:

- The Wainuiomata Festival at Wainuiomata Marae in conjunction with Kokiri Marae on Saturday 19 November 2011.
- A Pomare community breakfast and march from 8:30am on Friday 25 November 2011.
- A Jackson Street luncheon and walk in Petone from 11:30am.
- The Hot Rod Run will be opened at 9am by both patrons of the network, Mayor Wayne Guppy and Mayor Ray Wallace on Friday 25th November at Mitre 10 Mega, Upper Hutt, with entertainment from the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band and John Huntley.

The Hot Rod Run will then travel down to Petone Mitre 10 Mega with entertainment from Police and Tamariki Unite (PATU), Taita College students and MC Choirboy, concluding at 1pm.

For more information on White Ribbon Day go to:
www.whiteribbon.org.nz

For more information on family violence and how to get help go to the Police website:
www.police.govt.nz/protection_order