A CHESTER group has launched a community knitting and crafts project to show support for victims of domestic abuse.

Chester Women’s Aid (CWA) is launching Stitch4Survivors, which enables everyone in Chester to demonstrate their support for victims and survivors of violent acts, by adding a length to a handcrafted white ribbon.

CWA aims to grow this community ribbon year on year as a visual record of the strength of feeling against domestic abuse and how, together, a community can bring survivors out from behind closed doors, help them recover from their trauma and prevent further harm.

Domestic abuse impacts everyone’s life at some level, whether as a current victim, survivor, child in a household where abuse is taking place, employer, friend, family or neighbour.

In the first year of leaving an abusive relationship, the victim is at extremely high risk of stalking, harassment, violence or even death at the hands of the perpetrator.

Every week in England and Wales, two women are killed by a current or former partner.

Chester Women’s Aid believes there is no excuse for domestic abuse and would like to invite the people of Chester to demonstrate that they empathise with survivors and will help to protect them in the community, the workplace and their own homes.

Survivor Sarah (not her real name) said: “Experiencing DA (domestic abuse) left me unemployed with my reputation battered and having lost a significant number of friends and acquaintances...and my parents not speaking to me.

"I appreciate this won't reflect everyone's experience, but I believe that a massive part of that was a huge feeling of discomfort around the reality of DA and a wish to distance themselves from it.”

To take part in Stitch4Survivors, use any stitch or yarn, as long as it is white, to knit or crochet 20cm wide strips of any length that can be added to CWA's community white ribbon.

Finished lengths can be dropped off at The Green Rooms art and plant café, Just Footprints or join Chester Women’s Aid and supporters at the annual White Ribbon Day street collection on Sunday, November 24, from 11am-3pm in Eastgate.

Funds raised at the street collection will be used for giving emergency grant aid to families fleeing domestic abuse.

  • If you, a friend or family member are currently experiencing domestic abuse, visit www.openthedoorcheshire.org.uk to find local free support and advice.