Thursday, October 9, 2014
Right Tyres. Right Choice.
INSIDE this week
GDN091014vigil
DEFIANT: A taskforce member is joined by deputy mayor Jim Jeffries and Dr Nicola Schreurs speak out against domestic violence. PHOTO: ALECIA ROUSSEAU.
Taking back what’s ours By ALECIA ROUSSEAU A crowd gathered in The Square last week to hear a group of determined young women shed light on domestic violence. Members from GirlGuiding Manawatu hosted their fourth annual vigil, Take Back the Night, in a bid to highlight the need for safer relationships in our community. The girls spoke of the one in three women who will experience violence in their lives and the responsibility we have to protect one another. The taskforce’s aim was to “inspire” action and teach children violence isn’t ok. They also claimed those who ignored the problem allowed it to exist. Taskforce member Cindy
Towers said the event was an opportunity for people to come together, support each other and reclaim the night as a space where they felt safe. “It’s a place to speak out and say violence of any form is no longer okay . . . we feel this is an important community event that takes a stand.” The crowd was asked to light a candle and wear glow sticks to “light up” the night. A moments silence was also undertaken in recognition of those who have suffered domestic violence. The girls noted more than 20,000 women and children need help from the Women’s Refuge each year. Sixty-four per cent report psychological violence while 12 per cent report being
sexually abused. Zonta Manawatu’s president Dr Nicola Schreurs said we needed to take action and lead the way forward. “We envisage a world where no women lives in fear of violence.” Deputy mayor Jim Jeffries said he was also disappointed in statistics and asked the crowd to think about the messages being portrayed. “We need to eliminate violence against women . . . Palmerston North is going to be a safe city.” The taskforce finished by reminding the crowd violence can refer to all sorts of abuse including bullying and emotional abuse.
By-election looms — page 3
STATISTICS: ■ Police are called to around 200 domestic incidents each day, nationwide. ■ It’s estimated only 18 per cent of incidents are reported to police. ■ More than 74,000 children were present in domestic violence situations attended by police. ■ 84 per cent of those arrested for domestic violence are men. ■ The economic cost of domestic violence is estimated to be up to $8 million.
Hockey — page 19
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