Upper Hutt City Council ‘drives’ White Ribbon awareness campaign

Ahead of White Ribbon Day on 25 November, Upper Hutt City Council staff are quite literally driving awareness of the campaign message throughout the City in a bid to promote respectful relationships and eliminate men’s violence towards women.

UPPER HUTT, Wellington NZ, 17 NOV 2016—White Ribbon Day is held annually on 25 November. Events are held in communities throughout New Zealand during November to support the campaign. With the goal of eliminating men’s violence towards women, the campaign aims to change men’s attitudes about respectful relationships by encouraging them to take ownership of this important issue and model good behaviour.

Upper Hutt City Council has collaborated with White Ribbon and Safe Hutt Valley to produce 3,000 White Ribbon bumper stickers. The bumper stickers have been permanently fixed to all Council fleet cars, portraying a simple yet effective message: ‘Respect can stop violence towards women.’ Additionally, they prompt the viewer to visit the White Ribbon website and consider taking the White Ribbon pledge.

“While the White Ribbon campaign is very visible throughout November, the reality is that violence towards women is a year-round issue,” says Council’s Director of Community Services, Mike Ryan. “The bumper stickers are a great way for Council to continually advocate that violence towards women is not OK, ever.”

Along with the bumper stickers, Upper Hutt residents can expect to see many other campaign prompts, including billboards, static displays, posters, and cloth white ribbons in prominent locations around the city.

“Safe Hutt Valley is proud to support Council’s awareness campaign,” says Safe Hutt Valley Coordinator, Lesley Davies. “It acts as a catalyst for members of the public to engage with White Ribbon, examine their own behaviour and attitudes about violence towards women, and understand what violence is and the harmful impact it has.”

The bumper stickers are available for free from Upper Hutt Central Library, Upper Hutt City Council reception, and H20 Xtream aquatic centre. Council has also engaged local community groups, businesses, sports clubs, government agencies and other groups to distribute the bumper stickers throughout Upper Hutt.

“White Ribbon is delighted to again be working with Upper Hutt City Council, Safe Hutt Valley, and their communities to carry a strong non-violence message,” says White Ribbon Chairman, Cam Ronald. “By working together, and focusing on the areas that will make the most difference, we stand up, speak out, and act to prevent men’s violence towards women, not just today, but every day. The Bumper Stickers and other ongoing displays ensure that this is seen by everyone, every day.”

Residents who want to support or find out more about White Ribbon are invited to attend a community-led White Ribbon Family Fun Day at 12.00 pm, Saturday 26 November at Lane Park, 16 – 22 Lane Street, Upper Hutt.

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