March calls for end to sexual and domestic violence

Hundreds of people joined a march to Parliament calling for better systems, resources and laws to address sexual and domestic violence today.

The New Zealand Herald reported,

"Those participating in the lunchtime march included social workers, nurses, schoolchildren, students, and men like Wellington's Dave Currie, who said a culture of machismo and domestic abuse was causing 'unbelievable and silent pain' across New Zealand."

Women's Refuge expressed disppointment that an earlier agreement for a statue of Kate Sheppard to be house or displayed at Parliament was withdrawn. The statue was created as part of their Bring Back Kate campaign.

The march was organised by Women’s Refuge, Te Ohaakii a Hine - National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together, Shakti, Relationships Aotearoa, The Pacific Islands Safety and Prevention Project, National Network of Stopping Violence Services and the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Supervised Contact Services.

Members of Shakti Community Council from Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Christchurch and Dunedin joined their Wellington group to participate in the march.