PCYC Mount Isa ‘yarn bombing’ in support of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month

Due to the rapid and challenging social changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, PCYC Queensland has continued to remain agile and inventive in finding ways to provide support to families in need, especially those experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV).

Each May, Queensland honours Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month and this month PCYC Mount Isa is proud to support the Healthy Families Yarn project to raise community awareness of domestic and family violence, and send a clear message that domestic and family violence will not be tolerated in our families and homes.

Developed by the Mount Isa Domestic Violence Action Group in collaboration with Mount Isa City Council and Mount Isa Tourism Association, the Healthy Families Yarn initiative encourages families and community members to pick up some yarn and get involved in yarn bombing (using knitted or crocheted yarn to cover objects), and have a yarn about what keeps families healthy and safe in an effort to prevent domestic and family violence.

First commencing in November 2019 with the first yarn bombings taking place at iconic sites in Mount Isa, the project has grown to reach the entire community, with hundreds of families now yarn bombing their front yards, letterboxes and cars, and sharing their pictures on the Healthy Families Yarn Facebook page.

Research from the Mount Isa Domestic Violence Action Group says they discovered that that families who have the yarn, who understand their strengths and who learn to talk through their challenges are less likely to engage in domestic and family violence.

To show their support, staff and volunteers at PCYC Mount Isa have been knitting away to yarn bomb the club sign and office spaces.

PCYC Mount Isa branch manager Sergeant Bernadette Strow is in full support of this wonderful project.

“Through Healthy Families Yarn we are helping to raise awareness and encourage a public conversation around healthy families, as families that communicate well are less likely to fall into patterns of domestic and family violence,” said Sergeant Strow.

“We have been asking our members and the community to have a yarn amongst their own families, asking questions like: What keeps our family strong? How do we ‘do’ a healthy family? When things get tough, what can we do to keep each other safe? How can we help each other through stress?”

“By doing this, we encourage the conversation and the public awareness of what keeps families safe and healthy. During this pandemic, encouraging social connection and helping those in need is more important than ever.”

For more information visit PCYC Mount Isa.