Carterton council staff showing their support. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Being a place where people can come to and lead by example is what Carterton District Council hopes to achieve with its White Ribbon accreditation. EMMA BROWN reports.
About 18 months ago, Carterton District Council parks and reserves manager Clint Thompson talked to the council about his passion for White Ribbon.
Little did he know that the council had taken it to heart and decided to act, vying for White Ribbon accreditation which it got in September.
They are the first district council to become accredited.
Thompson, who is the staff ambassador said, “it shows the community that we are taking the White Ribbon kaupapa seriously and that we are supportive of our staff and community”.
Community ambassador and councillor Russell Keys said achieving accreditation showed “that we acknowledge [domestic violence], and we are not going to stand for it or put up with it”.
“It’s showing them [council workers] the example and providing the awareness that there is support around them and they can talk about these things,” Thompson said.
“This is White Ribbon month, yet were heading to white ribbon day, the kaupapa doesn’t stop there. It’s White Ribbon day every day.”
Communications and engagement coordinator Elisa Vorster said CDC was proud to be the first district council to gain accreditation, but they wanted more to join the ranks.
CDC is running a barbeque at New World from 10am — 2pm today to talk to the community about White Ribbon and raise money for the organisation.
The funds are to say thank you to White Ribbon for the training and accreditation, so they can keep on supporting and educating others.
This is the fourth of a five-part series sharing the White Ribbon Message.
Up next: A victim tells her story for the first time.
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For emergencies Call NZ Police 111
Te Hauora Runanga O Wairarapa 06 378 0140 0800 666 744
Women’s Refuge crisis line 0800 733 843 – 24 hours
Family violence information 0800 456 450
Shine National Helpline 0508 744 633 – 9am to 11pm
Shakti – for women from migrant and refugee communities 0800 742 584 – 24 hours
National network of stopping violence 03 391 0048
Elder Abuse Helpline 0800 32 668 65 – 24 hours
