“Orange Friday”

Orange Friday is a day to raise awareness and much needed funds to help victims of domestic abuse become safe and stay safe.

Domestic abuse is not an easy subject, especially because our statistics here in Aotearoa/ NZ are shocking. The NZ Police answer a domestic abuse callout every 5 minutes. One child is killed every 6 weeks by a family member. And one in three Kiwi women will experience physical or sexual abuse by a partner in their lifetime. It’s awful to know that we have such a huge problem with domestic abuse in our beautiful country.

On “Orange Friday” people dress in (you guessed it) ORANGE :). They donate money to the organisation “Shine”. Shine was founded in 1990, so have just celebrated their 25th Anniversary. Shine work in partnership with many organisations, including the NZ Police, Child Youth & Family Services and Family Works. They offer a range of integrated services that support adult and child victims to be safe, as well as supporting men who have used abuse, to change their behaviour. Shine currently have a serious funding shortfall, meaning only 1 out 4 victims that are referred are able to be helped. Orange Friday aims to help with this shortfall by raising funds to ensure all victims of domestic abuse are able to have the support that they need.

Kamo lntermediate School Children on “Orange Friday” 2015.

“Orange Friday” is also a good opportunity to raise general awareness of domestic violence, so holding it in schools or offices is great… lots of people wearing orange will attract interest and further help this worthy cause. So get out there, get orange and “shine a light” on this problem… one which is often hidden behind closed doors until it’s too late.