The White Ribbon campaign launches today , calling on Kiwi men to take action against those who commit violence towards women.
White Ribbon's first female ambassador Anna Campbell joined TVNZ 1's Breakfast to talk about what actions men can make to stand up for women.
She says violence in New Zealand is a serious issue.
"New Zealand is the best at hurting the people we love."
There is an incident of family violence every five minutes and one in three women will experience violence once in their lifetime, Campbell says.
She believes there is a stigma that men have to be "tough".
"There’s a lot of men that are trapped in the cycle of being in the ‘man box’, with that image that they have to be tough and they have to be strong and they express their masculinity in a way that dominates women."
She says we need men who are not violent to stand up and help other men who use violence against woman.
"Today isn’t about raising money it’s about spurring people into action."
Campbell also helps businesses become accredited to White Ribbon.
"Businesses can drive social change as well as individuals.
"It’s about putting things in place to teach people about respectful relationships."
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