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The Kapiti Voices Against Violence Group of organisations received some funding from the Ministry of Social Development's It's Not OK Campaign and commissioned local artist Bodhi Vincent to do a sculpture. The sculpture was installed on Thursday 9th December, 2010, in front of the Kapiti Police Station and represents 'Safe families'. At the unveiling ceremony on Friday, 10th December, Vic Tamati told his powerful story of a life of violence and how he turned this around and is now a 'safe' man. The event was a powerful one and having an artwork in such a public place as an expression of the stopping family violence message means the community can take ownership of it into the future.



(Vic Tamati admires sculpture on the opening day)

The sculpture has a ring around it with a garden of flowers inside it and on the ring are ceramic tiles depicting children's artwork. The art was contributed by five Kapiti schools and was in response to the question of what things made them feel 'safe'. The process of inspiring the children was a valuable one as Voices Against Violence facilitators visited the schools and discussed the postive message of safety with the children and also gave them the 'It's OK to ask for help' message. The artwork produced is really beautiful and heartwarming.



(Sculpture with the beginnings of the garden around it)



(The hand cradles the baby as a symbol of the power to nurture or destroy)