This holiday season, hundreds of women and children in Victoria’s women’s refuges will be a little more comfortable, thanks to the generosity of SleepSafe campaign supporters.

Two hundred forty pairs of pyjamas were donated to the SleepSafe campaign to go to women and children in refuges across Victoria.

At the 21 November SleepSafe Breakfast, one hundred local business women and men, community workers and volunteers showed their support for the campaign to end violence against women. Guests at the breakfast, which aimed to raise awareness about and put a stop to domestic violence in our communities, were invited to donate pyjamas for women and children seeking refuge. And donate they did!

Two hundred and forty pairs of soft, cuddly and even silky women’s and children’s pyjamas were donated to support the SleepSafe cause. Flower-patterned women’s pyjama pants in soft cotton were piled next to night-time children’s tees bearing Thomas the Tank Engine and Disney characters.

The SleepSafe campaign is organised by Project 5-O, a coalition of BPW Australia, Soroptimist International, Zonta International, National Council of Women, Federation of University Women Australia, with the support of Queen Victoria Women’s Centre Trust.

Supporters of the SleepSafe breakfast raised funds in support of White Ribbon Day and Project 5.O.

SleepSafe Breakfast Committee Chairwoman Jane Treleaven, said, ‘The SleepSafe campaign aims to bring just a little more comfort to women and children seeking refuge and to remind them that they are not forgotten. We’ve seen an amazing outpouring of community support for this initiative. I think everyone can identify with how uncomfortable and even frightening it can be to stay overnight in an unfamiliar place.’

‘Events like the SleepSafe Breakfast also serve to remind the community that domestic violence is, sadly, still part of our society and we must work together to end it’, Ms Treleaven said. ‘Through the SleepSafe Breakfast, we were able to raise awareness about White Ribbon Day – the international campaign to eliminate violence against women by promoting culture-change around the issue.’

This week, the pyjamas will be distributed to women’s refuges across Victoria with the help of Queen Victoria Women’s Centre-based service Domestic Violence Victoria (DV Vic).

Anne Kennedy of the Mother’s Union, which donated 150 pairs of pyjamas, said, ‘The Mother’s Union was so pleased to be able to donate to the SleepSafe campaign. As mothers ourselves, we know how difficult it can be to spend a night away from home, even at the best of times. It’s a small gesture to give pyjamas, but I think it can make a big difference to mothers in crisis.’

The SleepSafe campaign holds a yearly November breakfast in support of White Ribbon Day. Find out more about the campaign. Or email sleepsafe@gmail.com to organise a pyjama donation.