It's a hidden crime that takes place behind closed doors where people are threatened and coerced or shamed into keeping silent.

No more.

Today the Manning community will be exposed to the reality of what is happening behind closed doors with a powerful art exhibition taking place across Taree.

The 'Airing Our Dirty Laundry' art exhibition, which has come together over the past two months, launches today (November 25), on White Ribbon Day and the start of 16 Days of Activism against domestic violence.

Almost 90 white t-shirts, displaying the poignant artworks and words of local women and children affected by domestic violence will be displayed in business windows along Manning, Victoria and Pulteney Streets, as well as at the Taree Library, Taree Community Health Centre, Wingham Neighbourhood Centre, Interrelate, iGym, Anytime Fitness, YMCA and Family and Community Services.

More than 50 businesses and services around the Taree area volunteered display space for the art project drawing attention to the impacts of domestic and family violence.

Community organisations brought the t-shirts and paint to women and children living with or affected by domestic violence. Artist Rebecca Cross has also been involved.

The results are compelling slogans and art that speak out against the real harm of violence behind closed doors.

They tell stories of suffering and courage and plead for neighbours, friends, family, and community to speak up against domestic violence.

Manning Valley Domestic Violence Committee member and local sexual assault counsellor, Shannon Anima, said it was incredibly therapeutic for the women and children to create the shirts.

"They are heartfelt messages about what they are living, what they are suffering and what they wanted to tell the community."

She says it is important that there be a community discussion about domestic violence.

"We need to give those women and children community support to leave the violence and also make sure that it doesn't stop there.

"Family and friends also need to speak up about domestic violence. We can't just expect the victims to speak up. It's very important that others do too because others generally know what is happening.

"Violence isn't just about bruises and broken bones. Violence is also about emotional abuse and financial abuse.

"Women say the emotional abuse is the part that effects them the most.

"Research also shows that for children who grow up in situations of domestic violence, their mental and physical health is affected in the long term.

"They are far more likely to go on and live in a situation of domestic violence because they think it is normal and because they are numb to the risk.

"They also don't recognise risky situations and their sense of worth is terribly affected."

The exhibition has been sponsored by the Manning Valley Domestic Violence Committee and an interagency organisation which includes members of the police, refuges, non-government agencies, Community Health, the neighbourhood centre, domestic violence support officer and domestic violence court advocacy.

To mark White Ribbon Day today, local service providers will have a display table at Taree Central shopping centre between 8.30am and 6pm (near the top of the escalators) with information about how you can help stop domestic violence, and service directories to help children and adults living with domestic violence.

The table will have free white ribbons, tattoos, lollies and friendly staff to speak with.

In Australia, one in four children are exposed to domestic and family violence. One in five children will be sexually assaulted before age 18 years, and 90 per cent of the time this will be by a family member or close family friend.

Domestic and family violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children. Sixty to 70 women are killed each year in Australia by a current or former partner. Violence against women and their children has been estimated to cost the Australian economy more than $13 billion per year (from InPsych October 2015, Australian Psychological Society).

To learn more about domestic violence look online at www.dvrcv.org.au for information for victims and service providers, www.whiteribbon.org.au a site to encourage men speaking up to stop domestic violence, or www.theline.org.au a site to help young people 12 to 20, their parents, carers and teachers learn how to support others and draw the line on disrespectful attitudes and behaviours.

For local support, victims of violence can contact the police or the police domestic violence liaison officer, Lachlan Gunn, the refuges for counselling or accommodation, Court Support Services at 6584 0053, Sexual Assault Services at 6592 9701, or call the NSW counselling and support line 1800Respect.

Reports of suspected domestic violence and safety concerns can be made to the emergency line 000, the police, or Family and Community Services.

lauren.green@fairfaxmedia.com.au