16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM

ARE YOU SAFE posters

The Advocacy Committee were encouraged to create Are You Safe posters by members of the club.

The Are You Safe posters were created with the input from several Dunedin organisations such as Women’s Refuge, OCASA, Asian Women’s helpline etc.

November 2024 Campaign against Coercive Control

To raise public awareness about Coercive Control, information leaflets and posters were distributed at two prominent locations in the community: the Otago Farmers’ Market and the Meridian Mall.

November 2023 Associate Professor Siouxsie Wiles MNZM

Charissa Nicol, Principle of Columba College Dunedin talked with Siouxsie on the impact social media and online bullying has had on her and her family. Siouxsie was a high profile scientist during the Covid pandemic and has received death threats and abuse from people online as well as being threatened in the street. She spoke of the ongoing abuse and the effect on her and her family.

The event was held at St David’s Lecture Theatre, Otago University. Thank you to the Dunedin City Council and Patricia France Trust for their support.

8th MARCH – INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY/YELLOW ROSE DAY

Professor Joanne Baxter, Dean of the Otago Medical School, is a public health medicine specialist focused on Māori health and health inequalities. Growing up on the West Coast and having never studied science at school, she overcame educational barriers to become the first female Māori Dean at Otago. Her inspiring story, shared at the Fables Hotel in Dunedin, highlighted resilience, support from mentors, and her commitment to advancing Māori health.

February 2023: A Conversation with Louise Nicholas

Louise Nicholas is a survivor of sexual violence and abuse. After pursuing allegations of rape by several police officers, she campaigned for survivors’ rights. From 1993 to 2006, through six court cases, she became the public face of a once-hidden issue.

Louise has devoted her life to advocating for survivors of sexual violence. Over the past thirty years, she has helped drive significant changes in New Zealand Police treatment of such cases.

In 2007, Louise Nicholas was named The New Zealand Herald’s New Zealander of the Year for her impact and dedication.

November 2021: Breakfast meeting at Starfish Cafe, St Clair

Otago Boy’s High School (pictured), Toitu Settlers Museum, Otago Museum were all lit up orange for the 16 days of the campaign.

About 25 people gathered at the Starfish Cafe, St Clair for breakfast. The event featured Hamish Barron, Head of the Sexual Abuse Unit for the Southern District NZ Police, who shared powerful insights into the realities faced by those reporting sexual abuse. Hamish spoke candidly about the volume of cases and the lengths the police go to, ensuring every survivor is heard and supported.

Hamish Barron Head of the Sexual Abuse Unit
Southern District New Zealand Police Force.