MEET YOUR MARLBOROUGH CHAMPIONS
ABOUT OUR CHAMPIONS PROJECTInformation on this page is in relation to the Champion Project for Marlborough.
A Champion is someone you can approach if you think you or someone you know may need help within a family violence situation. https://www.facebook.com/marlboroughvip Find us on Facebook OUR CHAMPIONSDawn Morris - Driving Miss Daisy
Vita Vaka - Performing Artist at Bcre8ve Emma-Jaye King - Maataa Waka Linda Davies - Beauty Therapist John Hart - Founder Wairau Taniwhas Margaret Western - Migrant Services Manager Lasike Kula - Pacific Fānau Advocate Natasha Knox - Radio Presenter Valene Heggie - Youth Worker Nikora Matangi - Te Kōhanga reo ō Ngā Puawai |
Champions Project - Stuff Article
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/71314205/taking-a-stand-against-family-violence Champions Video
It's not OK Campaign champions from other parts of NZ talk about their role in their communities in promoting messages to prevent family violence, encourage people to ask for help, and ideas on how to help. |
Meet Your Champions
Linda Davies
Why did you become a Champion? I felt it was time to step up to the line, to walk the talk. My childhood had its fair share of abuse and alcohol related incidences. I was incredibly lucky to have very supportive extended family and Foster parents that helped with raising and protecting me, these people showed me another way, a positive way, taught me new skills to better equip me for life. We all deserve to live a great life, it takes courage to live a victim free life but it is worth it. Where can people find you? Pampers Escape Day Spa or just out and about in Blenheim Is there anything you would like to say to the community? Don’t turn your head the other way, one little thing that you do could be the positive change in someone life. It takes a village to raise a child, be bold, and be brave, make the difference! If you need help, reach out for it, there are people out there in our community who are safe caring people ready to give you the support needed. |
Lasike Kula
Why did you become a Champion? I wanted to make a contribution to the wider community. it is a challenge I accepted knowing that the past experiences I have had with family violence meant I had a lot to offer. Where can people find you? I think it's important for people with concerns are able to get hold of me, please try me on these numbers if you you think I can help you, 021 996 945 or 027 630 2777 Is there anything you would like to say to the community? Our strength comes from our joy! |
John Hart
Why did you become a Champion? Firstly as an ear to talk to, then - if needed, or wanted I can referred to service providers like Women’s Refuge or Maataa Waka. I’m approachable if you need to confide in anyone. For those on the receiving end of violence of any kind, it’s not your lot, it doesn’t have to be your reality, be strong knowing help is there and available, don’t be afraid to ask for help. For those who still think it’s alright to use any type of force to control another person. There is help if you want it, strength comes in many forms. To admit to needing help isn't a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. Is there anything you would like to say to the community? We should all be aware that domestic violence is a problem and not addressing it doesn’t make it go away. It comes in many forms - from shouting to controlling others and the physical end of the scale were usually it is a learnt response to be able to change this, if the next generation doesn’t see it they can’t repeat it. The best way to reduce domestic violence is to educate everyone, having good role models in the community that provide good advice and a means to make change by growing good ideas and advice when needed is just one small initiative we can make on a community level. Where can people find you John? I’m in Youth Court as a mentor and founder of Wairau Taniwha Rugby League team as coach and trainer. |
Dawn Morris
Why did you become a Champion? I was invited to become part of a very worthwhile project and I am always willing to help. Where can people find you? My company is listed in the phone book or you won’t find me far away from the blue car with the big daisy on the back. Is there anything you would like to say to the community? It is very important for the well being of our loved ones that they know they are safe in their community and that it is nice to know that there are a lot of good spirited people in our community willing to help. |
Valene
Why did you become a Champion? Saw a need to make more people aware that violence incidents exist in the community Where can people find you? Youth Service at Marlborough Community College & Presbyterian Support Is there anything you would like to say to the community? Extend a hand if you see a need - show where to seek help |
Nikora Matangi
Why did you become a Champion? To help/support/educate others who need it, to advocate the importance of our mahi as a champion and to be an active positive role model for not just our māori iwi but everyone. Where can people find you? Te Kōhanga Reo o Ngā Puawai or Facebook. Is there anything you would like to say to the community? We are here to āwhi you in any way possible; don’t be afraid to ask us for support etc that is why we are here. |
Vita Vaka
Why did you become a Champion? Champion is a term that defines a person who is an overcomer. I personally have been through, experienced and observed a lot of struggles and challenges in my upbringing that, my view on life shifted when I started to view the term ‘Champion’ as leaders who serve and lead but also who have conquered their fears in order to lead and guide people through theirs. As a Champion, I wanted to impact this sort of change in this community and help them become a Champion themselves. Where can people find you? Email: vitav@outlook.co.nz, bcre8venz@gmail.com. Online: https://www.facebook.com/HopeWalk-Blenheim Is there anything you would like to say to the community? There is support everywhere around you and unless you don’t reach out, your victory and the support available remains unknown. We are here for you and extremely passionate to see you excel in everything you do and become. Trust isn’t easy but it certainly is the beginning. Trust that you can be that change you want to be with the key support of others around you and become a champion for your family and community by making that courageous stand and say no to the control of violence. Everything will be OK. |
Tasha Knox
Why did you become a Champion? Having experienced an abusive relationship in my early 20's I know how easy it is to fall into an unhealthy relationship, and how hard it is to get out. I want women to know the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship before it’s too late. Where can people find you? I work at More FM as a breakfast radio host. I’m an affable person - if you wanna talk, just say hi. Is there anything you would like to say to the community? One in three women experience psychological or physical abuse from their partners in their lifetime and Marlborough is no exception. These women are our daughters, our sisters, our friends and our neighbours. Your partner’s role is not to belittle you and make you feel worthless, they’re to lift you up and love you unconditionally. There needs to be more education on domestic violence – that it’s not okay. People need to know the warning signs, and they need to where to go for help. They need to know that it’s okay to talk about it. |
CHAMPION INFORMATION FROM OTHER REGIONS
The other regions around NZ have done their own campaigns. Read below for further information.
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‘The Bystanders – The Action Movie’.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/252629/video-aims-to-stop-sexual-violence ‘The Bystanders – The Action Movie’ has been developed by Rape Prevention Education - Whakatu Mauri with the aim of encouraging young people to be safe and active bystanders. New Zealand and international statistics suggest that approximately 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 8 boys will have some form of an unwanted sexual experience by the time they are teenagers. Every person in the community has a role to play in stopping disrespectful, harmful or violent sexual behaviour. This video has been developed to encourage and empower young people to assess situations and safely step in and/or call for help for things they see happening that may not seem OK. An active bystander is someone who sees when another person is being disrespected or harmed and chooses to step up and take positive action to make a difference. The more people who are prepared to do this, the less disrespectful or violent behaviour there is likely to be in your community. There are steps to getting involved. Your safety must be a priority when it comes to Stepping up and Speaking out. If it’s not safe to intervene, get help from a group of people, a safe adult, or the Police. Sexual harassment and sexual harm is never OK so if you see something happening that is not OK here are some steps to being an active bystander. 1. Check in – with the person you think needs help – are you OK? 2. Get involved – if you can do it safely, cause a distraction or split ‘em up! 3. Get help – grab your mates or others to join you in speaking up 4. If a situation is not safe for you and/or your mates to step in or is escalating, call the authorities. For more information on how to be a safe and active bystander go to www.sexnrespect.co.nz/Take-Positive-Action/ Rape Prevention Education – Whakatu Mauri would like to thank the ‘It’s Not OK’ campaign for their support of the development of this video, the wider sector and the young people who were consulted. This video was developed by Rape Prevention Education – Whakatu Mauri specifically to be released to other youth focused agencies to use in their sexual violence prevention efforts. Article and link to the ‘The Bystanders – The Movie’ on RadioNZ website http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/252629/video-aims-to-stop-sexual-violence |