Praying for Grace
By: - 9:10 am, December 11th, 2018 -
A series of public vigils will be held this week for murdered tourist Grace Millane.
There’s a lot that can be said about this terrible crime, which has struck a sombre chord here in Aotearoa and around the world.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke for the nation when she talked of our country’s shame at Grace Millane’s death.
However, it should be remembered that tourists are relatively safe in NZ. It’s Kiwi women and children that are most likely to be hurt, bullied and killed here through no fault of their own.
The recent law change to make strangulation a separate crime is a good step. Throttling a partner is a well known pre-cursor to worse crimes. Acknowledging that fact is a good step toward finally ending the idea that ‘it’s just a domestic’.
Men, we have so much to do. We can’t change history, however we can work with our mates and with our boys to make Aotearoa safer day by day.
If we men don’t make the change, who will?
Auckland
A candlelight vigil is planned for Wednesday at Auckland CBD’s Federal St. Starting at 7pm, the event is being led by Alison Mau and domestic violence victims’ support group The Aunties.
Also in Auckland on Wednesday, the White Ribbon group will hold a vigil at St Patrick’s Square, also on Federal St, at 6pm.
Wellington
Wellington’s vigil is planned for 7.30pm, Wednesday in Civic Square.
Nelson
Another group plans to take to the streets on Wednesday at 7pm, at 1903 Square on the corner of Trafalgar and Selwyn Place, Nelson. Attendees are asked to bring their own candles and tea lights.
Dunedin
Otago’s vigil is 7pm on Wednesday in the Octagon, in central Dunedin.
Queenstown
A vigil is planned for tonight at 7pm, in front of The Boatshed Cafe.
Mount Maunganui
A sunset vigil is set to be held at 8pm on Saturday on the beach by the surf club at Mount Maunganui.
One comment on “Praying for Grace”
Anne, you should be ashamed of yourself.
[Mate, you should apologise. This is a post primarily about the oppression and suppression of women in NZ by men and here you are, a man, trying to make a woman feel ashamed. TRP]
- why?
- Not at all Morrissey. I’m not referring to the Richardson fellow’s comments or indeed Garner’s garnishing, but this woman makes good points about the way victims of crime often end up being re-victimised as a result of the present justice system. Many of us who have been victims will tell you as much. She also makes a point of reminding viewers of the people who have not seen justice after years of waiting and there are countless of people in that category.It is always good to be reminded of the above no matter who it is doing the reminding.
- Exactly Anne!
+ 100
- I didn’t take it that way TRP.
- No, I wasn’t criticizing Anne for her listening to Garner’s joke of a show. Hell, I’m a critic, not a censor. What I criticized her for was her endorsing of “this woman” who she claimed made “some good points about the treatment of victims of crime.”Anne still seems oblivious of the fact that “this woman”—Ruth Money—was a protégé of the odious Garth the Knife McSticker, possibly the most vicious and cynical person in the country.[Weak. Anne did not endorse Ruth Money, she endorsed some of the comments Ruth made. You then go on to make a belittling comment about another woman, who, as part of her job, is merely introducing Ruth Money using the job title her organisation gives to her role. Again, weak. In future, you need to put the same level of work into your comments as you demand of those you claim to critique or there may be unpleasant consequences. Not banned this time, but only because Anne didn’t take offence. TRP]
- Don’t mate him TRP. The soft mateship approach is half the problem with Kiwi males thinking it ok to make women ashamed. It’s soft peddling to Morrisey’s obvious anger issues.
- “Anger issues”? I think the concept you’re struggling to verbalise is “disgust.” I’m disgusted at the fact that anyone, even a fourth-rate autocue reader like Ingrid Hipkiss, would be so crass as to label Ruth Money a “victim’s advocate.”