Ruben Wiki – White Ribbon Ambassador

The Families Commission is pleased to announce Ruben Wiki as the first White Ribbon Ambassador. Ruben will be actively raising awareness of men’s violence against woman as part of White Ribbon Day.

White Ribbon Day is held each year on 25 November and is the international day when people wear a white ribbon to show that they do not condone violence towards women. In New Zealand most violence by men against women takes place in the home – each year an average of 14 women are killed by their partners or ex-partners and more than 3500 convictions for assaults on women are recorded each year.

As the first White Ribbon Ambassador, Ruben will be using his public profile to speak out against family violence and encourage men to put a stop to violence against woman.

Ruben explains “I am not a family violence expert, however I grew up in a house where my mother was beaten by her partner (not my father) and I know how scary that can be. I want to do what I can to help make sure this doesn’t happen to other mothers and children.”

As a husband, and father of two, Ruben says he is always aware that he is a role model for his children. “As men, what we can do to help, is to speak up when men say or do things that we wouldn’t want our sisters, wives or children to experience. We need to say it’s not OK. If we come across violence in our families or our friends’ families, we need to be able to assist them to get help.
“As a White Ribbon Ambassador I want to help men realise that violence against women is not Ok and that we as men, have a duty to our families, our friends and our whānau to stand up, acknowledge the problem and begin to change” says Ruben. “By wearing the white ribbon I’m saying that I will not commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards woman.  I’m issuing a challenge to every man in our country to wear a white ribbon and make this pledge”.

“Men must accept responsibility for their abusive behavior” says Families Commissioner Bruce Pilbrow.  “Men must also lead the change so that woman can live free from violence and fear. If we want other forms of violence to end, men need to show leadership. While Ruben is the first ambassador, a further five prominent New Zealand men will be announced to take up the challenge and encourage change” says Bruce.

For further information on White Ribbon activities or logos and photos please visit the ‘get resources’ section at www.whiteribbon.org.nz

Lua Maynard, Vicki Sykes and Ruben Wiki outside Friendship House, Manukau Friendship House opened its doors in 1976 as a charitable trust governed by six church denominations.  There are currently 19 paid staff, 12 volunteers and 18 Living Without Violence contractors.  Friendship House is both a Community Centre and a Social Services Agency with over 160 people through the doors each day. Vicki Sykes is the Director of Friendship House. Lua Maynard is a Health Promoter for RAP – Respect All People, Manukau.

RAP:  www.respect.org.nz   Friendship House:  20 Putney Way, Manukau City,  Ph: 09 262 2322