New Zealand's Pacific Prevention of Domestic Violence Programme (PPDVP) on November 7 is bringing a group of eight rugby representatives to Tonga for a week, where they will visit schools and community groups, promoting the slogan, "Break the Silence, End the Violence".

The players come from the Independent Timber Merchants Cup, and Super rugby teams, including Mike "Moo" Coman, the Captain of the Hawkes Bay Magpies; Tawera Kerr-Barlow, a loose forward who plays for Waikato; Nasi Manu, a loose forward who plays for the Highlanders; Liaki (Monster) Moli, a lock who plays for the Auckland Blues; Paul Ngauamo, a hooker plays for the Canterbury ITM Cup squad and Super 15; Mark "Sharky" Selwyn, a flanker plays for the Steelers; Telusa Veainu, a winger plays for the Canterbury ITM and the Highlanders Super 15, and Wally Rifle, the Waikato Rugby Head Trainer 2009-2012.

The New Zealand Police stated that the head of the PPDVP in New Zealand, Cam Ronald believed that one of the best ways to prevent violence was for young men and women to see role models promoting the message that "violence is not okay".

"It is really positive to have these young players here this year, who want to build on the message that violence is not okay," said Cam Ronald.

The Tongan campaign against domestic violence was initiated by the Tonga Police in 2007, with the establishment of its Domestic Violence Unit DVU. The program has been successfully promoted during the past six months with a television campaign "Break the Silence and End the Violence" featuring Sona Taumalolo from the Chiefs, and Siale Piutau from the Highlanders.

The success of the PPDVP in "breaking the silence" shows a big increase in the number of complaints being made. In 2007 only 149 complaints were made to Tonga's DVU, but from 2008 to July this year 1,621 complaints have been made.

"It's important for victims of domestic violence to know they have a voice, and that Police will listen to them," said Cam Ronald.

While the group will is in Tonga they will be working with schools, and the wider community and giving away wrist bands, frisbees, notebooks and hacky sacks with the "Break the Silence, End the Violence" message.