Many people will be hitting the streets of Papamoa tomorrow as they take part in the Papamoa – It's Not OK campaign against domestic violence.

Tauranga City Councillor Steve Morris is one of many people who are supporting the campaign.

Steve Morris has been a councillor for 18 months.

When asked why he is supporting the campaign, Steve told SunLive 'because it's literally not okay that one in three women in New Zealand experience physical or sexual violence at some time in their lives”.

'The 'It's not okay” campaign seeks to begin the long process of changing attitudes to violence,” says Steve.

'Kiwis have dramatically changed their attitude to drink driving and smoking during my lifetime and I know we are capable of becoming nation where family violence isn't tolerated in our families, communities or over the fence.”

Steve knows several woman who have been beaten by their partners.

'The tragic thing is that most people can say the same.”

The councillor, who has been part of the council for 18 months, says the first thing people need to do if they know someone being abused is 'to ask if they are ok and go from there”.

'Tell them you are ready to listen when they are ready to talk. You need to let them know that it never acceptable to be abused, no matter what the circumstances. If someone or their children is in immediate danger you must call the police straight away.

'As men, we have a responsibility to be upfront and call out abusive behaviour every time we see it or hear of it from our mates, other men in our family, our colleagues or neighbours.

'That means telling your mate you don't like it when he calls his partner 'useless” or when he puts her down in-front of their kids.” Steve says family violence isn't exclusively the preserve of the poor or a single ethnic group.

He adds: it hides in all walks of life from a colleague on the factory floor to some in the political arena.

'Together we all have the obligation to challenge this behaviour within our respective 'spheres of influence.”

The month-long Family Violence – ‘It's Not Ok' campaign will get underway in Papamoa tomorrow with a march and family fun day at the grassed area behind McDonalds at Papamoa Plaza.

There will be everything from a bouncy castle and face painting, to a colouring competition and a lolly scramble.

The march starts at 9.15am.