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Waitakere Pushes Xmas Anti Family Violence Message
Billboard__Family_violence_wcc.pdf
MEDIA RELEASE
10 DECEMBER, 2007
Waitakere Pushes Anti Family Violence Message at Christmas
Waitakere City has shunned pretty pohutukawa trees and beach scenes as the theme for his 2007 Christmas card in favour of a hard hitting one confronting the family violence issue.
The front of Mayor Bob Harvey’s card features the Family Violence – IT’s NOT OK in Waitakere billboard photograph of him, former All Black Va’aiga ‘Inga’ Tuigamala and actor Robyn Malcolm.
The billboard was created as part of Waitakere’s local version of the government’s national campaign for action against family violence.
The billboards were placed around the city along with newspaper advertisements and funding help from the Trusts.
On the inside of the mayor’s card the message reads: In Waitakere we are working to rid the city of family violence.
This wish mightn’t come in a Christmas stocking or a letter to Santa but it is something we should be thinking about in this land of plenty. Wishing you a safe and peaceful Christmas.
The mayor says the billboard picture and its sentiment was a tough Christmas card choice but he wanted the shock factor because family violence escalates at Christmas and therefore many families will be suffering.
“I want those receiving my card to be really aware of that and to be compelled to be part of the action.
Family violence has got to stop in Waitakere and it’s got to stop around the country.”
Next year the Waitakere campaign will feature the It’s Not OK logo on city rubbish trucks and bags and further billboards and advertisements with three new high profile ‘westies’.
“We are just not going to let this drop,” says Mayor Harvey.
“Many people are working on this issue in Waitakere and that’s fantastic but we’ve got to do more.”
As well as instigating a local campaign Mayor Harvey and Dr Pita Sharples are co-chairing a Mayoral Taskforce against Family Violence.
The government’s Campaign for Action on Family Violence is being led by the Ministry of Social Development and the Families Commission.
ENDS
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