25 November 2011

Pledge to Stop Violence towards All Family Members Supported

Family First NZ is welcoming comments by the co-director of the New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse who is supporting Family First NZ's call to expand the White Ribbon concept to pledging against violence towards any family member.

"Despite attempts to distort and misrepresent our message, Family First is deeply committed to tackling the issue of family violence and child abuse. We are one of the few groups who have been consistently calling for an independent Commission of Inquiry into child abuse. We have also highlighted concerns about violence in our media and in our communities and schools," says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

"We believe it's time to make the greatest impact with the anti-violence message by expanding the White Ribbon concept. If we want to tackle family violence, we all - men, women and children - need to pledge to stop violence towards men, women and children. This is a family violence issue - not a gender issue."

In response to Family First's call, co-director of the New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse Dr Janet Fanslow says "We endorse Mr McCoskrie's call for a pledge to stop violence towards men, women and children... While gender-based violence is not good for women, it is also not good for men. We need them to be standing emotionally and physically strong beside us, as partners in all senses of the word."

"The New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse is an important part of the family violence network so their call is timely as we take the anti-violence message up another level," says Mr McCoskrie.

"Surely a pledge by all New Zealanders to stop violence towards any family member is the ultimate goal."

ENDS

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