Newstalk ZB
There’s concern Christchurch’s new stadium - and the events that come with it - could worsen the region’s already terrible violence rates. Christchurch’s One New Zealand Stadium, was officially opened by the Prime Minister last week, and will host its first major event, Super Rugby’s Super Round on Anzac weekend. According to community advocates, Canterbury still holds the unwanted title of New Zealand’s violence capital. Local family violence support service Aviva said harm is known to increase around large gatherings like festivals and major sports matches. The organisation reports an influx of referrals after most weekends, often linked to people being harmed while out in town. Aviva’s client services manager for sexual violence services, Jo Bader, said those calls only represent the people who have spoken up. “It’s problematic when you get a big group of people together and then you throw in things like alcohol or other drugs into the mix.” Bader wants event organisers to acknowledge the role they can play in raising awareness. “Venues will say it’s not their fault because everyone has to be responsible for their own actions, which is absolutely true, because violence is a choice, but societally, if we have attitudes and values that underpin harmful behaviour that aren’t addressed, then that’s when we get problems.” Bader is calling for event organisers and venues to take ownership and acknowledge that problematic behaviour occurs. “We’ve got to be really open and honest that people get harmed at events and we’re not okay with that.”Australia’s Family Court Chief Justice Will Alstergren noticed the tragic domestic violence trends across the Tasman. He led a video campaign featuring stars like Hugh Jackman and top rugby players taking a stand. It’s played on big screens before matches including AFL and NRL’s State of Origin – something Alstergren thinks Christchurch’s new stadium should embrace. “It’s not about scolding men or blaming them, but rather helping them take action toward generational change,” said Alstergren. The Chief Justice explained the key is connecting with young people where they are most engaged. “Imagine young boys and men sitting at that new stadium, with their fathers or uncles, and their sporting idol says hey, family and domestic violence isn’t on.” “If even one of those kids in the audience takes notes of it, they’ll think, if my hero can say that, that’s the way I should feel.” “It’s something that’ll probably resonate with them for the rest of their lives and hopefully be influential to them,” Alstergren said. The idea stems from Alstergren’s experience dealing with the effects of violence after it has already occurred. “You can’t just wait for government to do something, we as a whole society have to grow up and take responsibility for it.” “It’s not about blaming men, it’s just giving them an opportunity to be part of the conversation,” Alstergren said. The campaign has now reached more than two million people and is set to go global, with discussions underway with a judge in England about expanding into English football – including potential involvement from the likes of David Beckham. Venues Ōtautahi accepts the new stadium could play a role in preventing violence. Chief executive Caroline Harvie-Teare explained that while it may not be a stadium’s responsibility to fix a societal issue, “we are a platform that has a lot of visibility”. “If we can use the platform to better the community, we should.” Harvie-Teare said she is interested in exploring similar campaigns locally. “I’m really interested in how we can work with our venue hires, to have that additional support, education and additional campaigning to try and help improve things for our city,” she said. Harvie-Teare said the stadium will bring significant benefits through activation and enhancement, “but we also have a social conscience”. “Where we can take our social role to that next level – and I think we should.”
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