25 November 2013

Christchurch City councillors take stand against violence to women

The 10 male Christchurch City councillors pledged today never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women.

Before signing the pledge in support of International White Ribbon Day, the councillors joined the commemorative march from Christchurch Central Police Station to the Christchurch Hospital. Speeches were made by Mayor Lianne Dalziel, Pauline Clark, General Manager of the Canterbury District Health Board and Lesley Elliot, co-founder of the Sophie Elliott Foundation.

The full version of Mayor Dalziel’s speech is below.

The Council is showing its support for International White Ribbon Day with posters and white ribbons decorating the reception areas of the Civic Offices.

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

Speech made by Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel for White Ribbon Day at Christchurch Hospital November 25 2013 at 9.30am.

The White Ribbon is an international symbol of hope for a world, where women and girls can live free from the fear of violence. The campaign aims to change men’s attitudes and behaviours, predominantly through men talking to men.

I thought I should ask one of my male colleagues to speak today, as all ten of them will be signing the pledge for the city. It reads “I promise never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women”.

But the reason I wanted to speak was because I wanted to acknowledge Lesley Elliott and the work she and her husband Gil have done to create a meaningful legacy from the life of their daughter Sophie and the circumstances of her death.

Establishing the Sophie Elliott Foundation is testament to this family, who know from their tragic, personal experience that helping young women become aware of the warning signs and patterns of behaviour of an abusive partner and providing them with the tools to leave the relationship early, will save lives.

When I was first elected to public office 23 years ago, there was a report on domestic violence that had been commissioned by the Victims’ Taskforce. When I read the report, I was shocked at what I learned about these warning signs that were not only unknown to victims, but ignored by police, judges and experts. The dedication to the women who had been killed read:

“The days of your death were marked by the system’s trivialisation of the dangers you faced.”

Over the past 23 years I have seen real changes in the way the police and others respond. I don’t feel that the dangers are trivialised by the authorities, but we still have an appalling record - here in New Zealand one woman dies approximately every 26 days at the hand of her partner or former partner.

We need to see real change.

I’d like to think that we could spearhead that change in Christchurch.

We are not just building a new city here, communities are rebuilding as well.

We all know we want safe buildings and safe streets. So why don’t we as a city commit to safe homes as well.

I am very aware that this is a city still in a post trauma stressed state.

Financial stresses are very real here.

Alcohol consumption has increased as has domestic violence.

There are connections between these, which we must be alert to.

But they cannot be used an excuse.

I am very proud of my male colleagues for making a stand today and taking the pledge. As elected leaders of this city they are setting an example, being the strong role models that our young people need to see from the men in their lives.

Thank you Lesley for being here; Thanks to you and Gil, Sophie’s legacy will be to save other lives and to prevent other parents going through what you have endured.

ENDS

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