At the National Waka Ama Sprint Championships we come together to celebrate our sport, to compete and to support our clubs and whanau who are racing.
We all know how violence can affect whanau. The Campaign is about challenging attitudes and behaviour that tolerate any kind of family violence… and it's about generating a feeling there is something everyone can do to help.
This fits our kaupapa and values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, hauora, and tu tangata.
We as a Waka Ama whanau can be role models.
The current focus of the It's not OK Campaign is on what friends and whanau can do to help people living in violent situations, whether they are the violent person or the victim.
It's hard to know what to do when you know – or suspect – that a friend or family member is living with violence but the sooner you reach, the sooner they can get help.
Sometimes just one action or comment can make the difference but it's important how you offer help.
Give support not advice, listen, challenge the behaviour not the person and think about safety. Don't intervene in a violent situation or when people are angry or drunk. Choose a quiet time.
These are some things you can say or do:
Ask:
- Are you OK?
- Is someone hurting you?
- Are you scared to go home?
- Is there anything I can do?
- Do you feel safe at home?
Say:
- It's not OK your kids are scared of you
- It's not your fault someone is hurting you
- When you're ready I'm here
- It's not OK that you are being hurt
Do:
- Keep in touch
- Call to say Hi
- Offer to babysit
- Listen
- Be there
- Keep the door open
- Offer a safe place to go
Adults affected by family violence feel a lot of shame whether they are being violent or being hurt. They need to make changes in their own time when they are ready.
If children are being hurt they need safe adults to step in and take charge of their safety - they need to be able to tell adults they can trust what is happening to them.
If someone is in danger, or you think someone could be harmed, call Police on 111
To find out more information visit the It's not OK website
www.areyouok.org.nz or call the It's not OK information line on
0800 456 450