In a bid to raise awareness of domestic violence, Manning Great Lakes Police District has launched a very unique initiative.
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The task is simple: rally the community to knit Australia’s largest white ribbon.
Manning Great Lakes Police District crime manager Detective Acting Inspector Natalie Antaw said the initiative is about bringing the community together to talk about the impact of domestic violence.
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“What we’re hoping to achieve through this initiative is to raise awareness of domestic and family violence in our community.
“Domestic and family violence is a crime that doesn’t discriminate and we want people of all ages and walks of life to be involved in this initiative.
“We’re calling into action all those who can knit to contribute to Australia’s biggest white ribbon,” Detective Acting Inspector Antaw said.
The initiative is the brainchild of the Domestic Violence Safety Action Meeting.
The group started in 2016 and looks at methods to reduce the threat of domestic violence in the area.
On Friday, November 23, the ribbon will be laid on the 19th fairway of the golf course in conjunction with the Domestic and Family Violence Expo.
It is hoped the ribbon will break a record of more than two and half kilometres.
Depending on the size of the ribbon, police are hopeful of ‘taking it on tour’ throughout the district.
“If this encourages more people to report or seek help for domestic and family violence then we’re doing the right thing,” Detective Acting Inspector Antaw said.
Afterwards, the ribbon will be dismantled and turned into blankets and other items.
These will be distributed to services around the area that assist with domestic violence victims.
Self professed novice knitter Chief Inspector Christine George said regardless of skill level, everyone should get involved.
“I’ve learnt to knit this week, I’ve had to go and get my mum to help me,” she smiled.
Participants will need eight ply white wool, cotton or acrylic.
The knitted piece must be 40 stitches wide (about 25 centimetres), 40 to 100 centimetres in length and by size four to five milimetre needles.
If this encourages more people to report or seek help for domestic and family violence then we’re doing the right thing
- Natalie Antaw, Detective Acting Inspector
Completed rectangles can be submitted to Taree, Forster, Gloucester and Bulahdelah police stations as well as Club Taree.
Wool can also be submitted at each police station.
