Summary Writing Task Small Items Big Impact

question_id: 5444

Small Items Big Impact

Women and children fleeing violence at home have benefited from the efforts of Women in Police Local Committees (WIPLC) who banded together to provide much-needed household items.

A group of policewomen from Crime, Intelligence and Covert Support, Counter Terrorism, People Development and North West Metro Division 1 came together to create ‘Bags of Love’ for Impact, an independent charity.

Intelligence and Covert Support Command’s Superintendent Lauren Callaway said the WIPLC was responsible for the effort. “One of the objectives of our WIPLC is to influence and inform gender-focused initiatives – so it is very pleasing to be able to extend that to the community as well,” she said. “Impact is a completely volunteer charity that provides a wide range of support to women and children across all ethnicities and religions that have experienced family violence.”

There was a strong connection to WIPLC’s values and the focus that Victoria Police has more broadly on addressing family violence.

The group put a call out for staff to donate toiletries such as shampoo and conditioner, sanitary items, shavers, toothbrushes and pastes, toiletry bags and other bathroom items. Sixteen large tubs of goods were filled and contributed to Impact creating 1,000 gift bags, as well as bigger donation packages for shelters including objects for setting up a new home, children’s items, bedding and more.

“It was an amazing sustained effort that was driven by the women of crime,” Supt Callaway said. “The power of a collaborative approach was really on show, but it took a lot of drive and coordination to get the momentum and see it come to life. All involved should be congratulated for the result. It has also demonstrated how the women in police networks can support each other and interact with all Victoria Police employees and sets a platform for more meaningful initiatives into the future”, Supt Callaway said.