I wrote to following letter, to Min of justice, and a few politicians.
Responses below:
1 Letter

Subject: Offensive material displayed in North Shore District Court

I am objecting to a poster for the “White Ribbon” campaign, displayed in the office of the North Shore Family Court.

The “White ribbon” campaign has the laudable aim of opposing violence against women, but is not concerned about violence against men, nor violence against children. In addition, men are depicted as the sole perpetrators of domestic violence.

For these reasons the “White Ribbon” Campaign is at best a factional interest group, and could be seen as promulgating “hate speech”. Allowing such groups to promote their extremist dogma actually exacerbates the problem of domestic violence by excusing the violence suffered by children and their fathers, at the hands of the many violent women, and promoting the removal of fathers from their families.

You will of course be aware that domestic violence has been shown by all reputable studies committed equally by men and women, and that most violence against children is committed by women. You will of course be aware that violence to children is 50 to 70 TIMES higher in fatherless homes.

Allowing these offensive posters to be displayed in Family Court offices is distressing and offensive to male victims of domestic violence, and to their children who may have suffered abuse at the hands of a woman. These posters reinforce the perception that the Family Court has an anti-father, and an antifamily bias.

All Family Courts should be instructed to remove these offensive posters immediately.

Yours sincerely

John Brett

2 Response 1

MINISTRY OF

JUSTICE

Tahu o te Ture

4 June 2009

John Brett
PO Box 100061
North Shore Mail Centre

Tena koe John Brett

WHITE RIBBON CAMPAIGN

Thank you for your letter of 7 May 2009 regarding a poster for the White Ribbon campaign being displayed in the North Shore Family Court.

Due to the need for the court system to be, and to be seen to be impartial, Ministry staff were specifically instructed that White Ribbon day should not be promoted in Courts. Ministry staff may wear a White Ribbon as a personal statement of support if they choose.

1 have reiterated this position to the Court manager at the North Shore Family Court and am assured that all posters promoting White Ribbon day have now been removed. 1 thank you for bringing this matter to my attention and apologise for any distress this may have caused.

Heoian6,n5

Tony Fisher
V General Manager, District Courts

PO Box 180, Wellington, New Zealand
Telephone: +64 4 918 8800 Fax: +64 4 918 8820
www.justice.govt.nz

2 Response 2

Office of Hon Paula Bennett

MP for Waitakere
Minister for Social Development and Employment
Minister for Disability Issues
Minister of Youth Affairs

2 9 MAY 2099

John Brett
John Brett Technology Ltd
P 0 Box 10 0061 NSIVIC
NORTH SHORE CITY 0745

Dear Mr Brett

Thank you for your letter of 8 May 2009 about the White Ribbon Campaign.

I read your letter with interest. I can assure you that the Government’s responses to family violence prevention are aimed at all members of our society women, men and children in New Zealand.

However, statistics indicate that most family violence in New Zealand is directed towards women and children.

The White Ribbon Day is an international day when people wear a white ribbon to show that they do not condone violence towards women. 1 applaud any initiative that raises the profile of family violence and sends a message that it is not ok.

Thank you for writing.

Yours sincerely

Hon Paula Bennet) Minister for Social Development and Employment

Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand. Telephone 64 4 817 6815 Facsimile 64 4 817 6515

John Brett