A series of community events aimed at raising awareness of domestic and family violence will be held across the New England region next month, inviting locals to share messages of support and solidarity through creative expression.
Pathfinders will host the Clothesline Project in Armidale, Glen Innes and Inverell during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, bringing together victim-survivors, families and community members.
The events will take place on 6 May in Armidale at Pathfinders (Ground Floor, 1A/215 Beardy Street), 7 May in Glen Innes at the Town Hall (265 Grey Street), and 8 May in Inverell at the IC Youth Centre (18 Vivian Street). Each session will run from 10am to 2pm.
The initiative encourages participants to design t-shirts reflecting personal experiences, messages of hope or support, which are then displayed on a public clothesline as a visual statement against violence.
All events will be facilitated by Pathfinders, with organisers emphasising the importance of creating a safe, inclusive and trauma-informed environment for participants.
Homelessness Support Services Coordinator Liesel Taber said the project provides an opportunity for communities to come together around a shared issue.
“The Clothesline Project provides a safe and meaningful way for people to share their stories, raise awareness, and stand in solidarity with those affected by domestic and family violence,” she said.
“We see firsthand the impact of violence in our communities, and events like this help break the silence and reduce stigma.”
Domestic and family violence continues to have a significant impact across New South Wales, with tens of thousands of incidents recorded each year.
According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, domestic violence assaults have increased over the past decade, while in 2024, 45.9 per cent of all murder victims were killed in domestic and family violence-related incidents.
The issue also remains a leading cause of homelessness for women and children, highlighting the broader social impacts beyond immediate harm.
T-shirts created during the events will be respectfully displayed following each session, serving as a powerful symbol of the community’s collective commitment to ending violence.
Organisers are encouraging community members to attend, take part and show their support for safer communities.
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