Run Against Violence

The party is over. Now that the Run Against Violence Virtual Team Challenge has finished for another year, we look back and reflect on the 2022 challenge and remember why it’s important to continue shining a light on domestic and family violence in our communities.

In this episode:

• meet Colleen from the Tomaree Road Runners in our Team Spotlight,
• hear return guests Sammy, Mark and Natalie share what they loved and learnt during the 2022 Virtual Challenge, and
• listen as the co-founder of the Run Against Violence, Kirrily Dear, shares what she has learnt this year and what she is grateful for.

The first Run Against Violence Virtual Team Challenge was held in 2017. 5 years on, we speak with 3 of our original Team Captains, Margie, Ben and Belinda about why they are still passionately involved with the Run Against Violence and how conversations in their community have changed over that time.

In this episode:

• meet Mayor Sharon Cadwallader from Ballina Shire Council, and
  
• meet Melanie from the Newcastle Anglican Walk for Change and Peter Stuart, the Anglican Bishop of Newcastle, in our Team Spotlight.

The Katherine Women’s Legal Service (KWILS) is a not-for-profit community legal centre based in Katherine in the Northern Territory that provides free legal services in the Katherine region. In fact, they cover an area the size of Victoria & Tasmania combined!

Siobhan Mackay is the CEO of KWILS and has a unique insight into the challenges faced by domestic and family violence victims, and the support services available to them, in remote and regional communities (and our First Nations and Indigenous women in particular).

Also in this episode, you'll meet Belinda from the Dead Ringers in our Team Spotlight.

Run Against Violence partners with the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) to help ensure that every teenager in Australia has the opportunity to learn about what healthy relationships look like for them. Over the last 2 years, the RAV has donated $200,000 to NAPCAN to enhance and expand its Love Bites program (and 100% of funds raised in 2022 will be donated too).

Madelene McGrath is the National Stakeholder Manager and NAPCAN and Dr Brenda Dobia is an Adjunct Fellow, with the School of Education at the Western Sydney University and has worked with NAPCAN for many years to adapt, expand and develop Love Bites. Today they join us to talk about Love Bites, including how the money raised by RAV has and will be used to expand and enhance the program.

In this episode:

• meet Mayor Greg Williamson from Mackay Regional Council, and
• meet Michelle from the Warrandyte Mum Runners Trailblazers and Warrandyte Mum Runners Legends in our Team Spotlight.

The co-founders of Run Against Violence, Kirrily Dear and Brad Smithers, return today to lift the lid and take you behind the scenes of the Run Against Violence. Together they share the financial report for the 2020 - 2021 Financial Year.

In this episode:

• hear Kirrily outline the history of the partnership between the Run Against Violence and the National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) and how RAV has supported their Love Bites program over the last 2 years,
• hear Brad share the future plans for Run Against Violence
• meet Mayor Tom Kennedy from Broken Hill City Council, and
• hear from Renae from BMMC3 in our Team Spotlight

How do we change our way of life, one conversation at a time? Today we’re joined by two women - Kathy Kelly and Jane Caro - who have, in their own ways, played a pivotal role in changing the culture in our community in different ways.

Kathy Kelly is mum to Thomas and Stuart Kelly and in 2012 received that phone call every parent dreads. Thomas had been killed after an unprovoked and fatal attack at Sydney's Kings Cross. Four years later their younger son, Stuart, took his own life. Both boys were 18 years old. After Thomas was killed, Kathy and her husband Ralph began speaking started speaking about their experience, which gathered community support leading to widespread changes around alcohol-fuelled violence.

Jane Caro is a Walkley Award winning columnist, author, broadcaster, documentary maker, feminist and social commentator. She shares her views on how the language and stories we share need to change if we are to see an end to domestic and family violence in our community.

In this episode:

• hear Kathy share the role that conversations played in changing our culture around alcohol-fuelled violence and why it’s important to talk about difficult topics with and in front of our children
• Hear Jane explain how the messages we give men and women, as well as young boys and young girls, reinforce our existing culture,
• hear from Beth from Social Walkers in our Team Spotlight.

Pat Farmer is a multiple world record holder for endurance running. He has run the length of India and Vietnam, through the Middle East, across Australia, around Australia and across America a couple of times. And, wait for it, from the North Pole to the South Pole.

In this episode, he helps us celebrate the start of the 2022 Run Against Violence today. Pat shares his advice on how to achieve your goal for the Challenge and what to focus on when times get tough.

In this episode:

• get an update on our plans for the podcast during the 2022 Virtual Challenge, 
• hear from Mayor Des Noll from Millicent, South Australia about how his community is rallying together to prevent domestic and family violence (including the important role you can play in that process),
• meet Tracey, the Run Against Violence social media coordinator, and
• meet Dani from Dan’s Army in our Team Spotlight.

The theme of this year’s RAV Virtual Challenge is today’s conversation is tomorrow’s way of life. But how do the conversations we have today shape our community and our lives? We explore this question in this episode. You’ll hear from:

• Dani who, 12 months ago, shared her story of being a survivor of domestic and family violence for the first time publicly on the Run Against Violence. She returns to share the impact that telling her story has had on her life and the conversations she’s had as a result,
• journalist, editor and publisher Angela Priestley on the power of conversations, why stories (not stats) have an impact and how the conversations in the media around domestic and family violence have shifted over the last 10 years.
• Jeannette from Team Jumble Squad in our Team Spotlight.

Sue and Lloyd Clarke became passionate and vocal advocates for the criminalisation of coercive control after their daughter Hannah and Hannah’s 3 children Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey were murdered by Hannah’s estranged husband in February 2020 in a case that shocked and galvanised the nation.

Hannah had been a victim of coercive control for many years. Coercive control is a phrase we all recognise but many of us don’t understand what it is.

In this episode, Sue and Lloyd explain what coercive control is and Hannah’s experience of it, as well as the status of the laws around the country and the work they now do via the foundation they established, called Small Steps 4 Hannah, to end family and domestic violence in Australia.

Do conversations have the power to create real change to our way of life? Are they the key to ending domestic and family violence within our community? In this special episode, Jen Brown, the host of the 2022 RAV podcast shares her thoughts and reflects on what she’s learnt from the Run Against Violence community about the power of conversations.

Also in this episode:

• Meet Tammy from Not Fast Just Furious in our Team Spotlight,
• a sneak peek of an upcoming episode featuring a popular return guest.

How do we create real change in our community around family and domestic violence? That’s what we explore in this episode of the Run Against Violence where you’ll meet the dynamic duo of Robyn Harmon and David Harmon. Robyn is a school teacher, Assistant Principal and facilitator of the Love Bites program that Run Against Violence proudly supports. David has led the charge via the Rotary Club in Ballina to change the culture around family and domestic violence in their local community.

Also in this episode:

• Robyn shares why she thinks the Love Bites program run by NAPCAN is so effective,
• David shares how the Love Bites program can be used as a catalyst to generate conversations and change in the broader community,
• Meet Laura from the Lalor Running Club in our Team Spotlight.

So registrations for the 2022 Run Against Violence Virtual Challenge are open and pouring in. Teams are being registered. People are looking for teams and teams are looking for people. So let’s chat to 3 people about how they rally the troops. In this episode, you’ll meet Sammy Bruderer, Mark Grima and Natalie Bartolo and hear as they share their experience with the Virtual Challenge, how they find and organise their teams and how they keep themselves and their teams connected and motivated during the challenge.

Also in this episode:

• Sammy shares her advice on how to respond when someone discloses their experience of family violence with you,
• Natalie shares the story of her friend Greg who will inspire you to get out the door and get your kilometres done,
• meet Debbie from the Garmin Groupies in our Team Spotlight, and
• hear a special message and get a sneak peek of next week’s episode.

You can support the efforts of Run Against Violence by donating at https://www.runagainstviolence.com/donate

If you or someone close to you is experiencing family violence, please talk to someone. You can call 1800 RESPECT (Australia only) if you would like to talk to a professional service or if there is an immediate threat to safety call the police on Triple Zero (000) (Australia only).

Welcome to the first episode of the Run Against Violence for 2022. In this episode, you’ll hear from Run Against Violence co-founders Kirrily Dear and Brad Smithers. In 2014, Kirrily set out to run 860km over 12 days through regional New South Wales. Kirrily and Brad share how that run changed the course of their lives.

Also in this episode:

• Kirrily and Brad share what’s new for the RAV Virtual Challenge in 2022,
  
• our plans for season 2 of the podcast in 2022,
  
• meet Jo from Real Girls Sweat in our Team Spotlight
  
• hear a special message for you from Trista from the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse (NAPCAN).

You can support the efforts of Run Against Violence by donating at https://www.runagainstviolence.com/donate

If you or someone close to you is experiencing family violence, please talk to someone. You can call 1800 RESPECT (Australia only) if you would like to talk to a professional service or if there is an immediate threat to safety call the police on Triple Zero (000) (Australia only).

The party that was the 2021 Run Against Violence Virtual Team Challenge is over. Now the crowds have left, the Aussie Runner Podcast team pulls up a chair with RAV co-founders Kirrily Dear & Brad Smithers, and chat about all that happened during this year’s event.

During the 19 days of the event, RAV participants walked and ran the equivalent of 11.4 times around the Earth. But by far the most powerful steps taken were those that progressed our collective learning on how to prevent family violence.

We hand over to everyone’s favourite sideline commentator, David Attrill for the final word. He shares his musings on the event as he puts the bins out and closes the doors for this year.

See you in 2022!

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If you or someone close to you is experiencing family violence, please talk to someone. You can call 1800 RESPECT (Australia only) if you would like to talk to a professional service or if there is an immediate threat to safety call the police on Triple Zero (000) (Australia only).

A massive thanks to Damo and Jez from the Aussie Runner Podcast (https://aussierunnerpodcast.libsyn.com/) who are donating their time and expertise to make this possible.

You can support the efforts of Run Against Violence by donating at https://www.runagainstviolence.com/donate

You can interact with the ARP team and participate in the Podcast series by leaving a voicemail message https://anchor.fm/run-against-violence/message

Welcome to the finish line episode for the 2021 Run Against Violence Virtual Team Challenge.

There are some very strong stereotypes and myths that are informing people’s opinions on family violence in indigenous communities.  

RAV co-founder Kirrily Dear and Indigenous community worker, mediator, and educator Melissa Stubbings continue their conversation to clear away the stereotypes as to why Aboriginal women and children continue to be over-represented in family violence statistics.

While many of us feel physically and emotionally far removed from the problems in our indigenous communities, there are simple steps we can all take that will vastly improve the outcomes for Aboriginal women and children.  You may be surprised that many of those steps can be fun, enjoyable, and enlightening. 

ALSO IN THIS EPISODE

• Damo and Jez reflect on what they have learned during RAV 2021
• RAV co-founder Kirrily Dear shares her learning highlights from this year’s Challenge
• Dani Ainsworth rings the final bell and cheers more than 4000 RAVers across the finish line.

If you or someone close to you is experiencing family violence, please talk to someone. You can call 1800 RESPECT (Australia only) if you would like to talk to a professional service or if there is an immediate threat to safety call the police on Triple Zero (000) (Australia only).

A massive thanks to Damo and Jez from the Aussie Runner Podcast (https://aussierunnerpodcast.libsyn.com/) who are donating their time and expertise to make this possible.

You can support the efforts of Run Against Violence by donating at https://www.runagainstviolence.com/donate

You can interact with the ARP team and participate in the Podcast series by leaving a voicemail message https://anchor.fm/run-against-violence/message

Fifty percent of children in out-of-home care in Australia are Aboriginal. Aboriginal women are 35 times more likely to experience intimate partner violence than non-Aboriginal women.  

Ask a non-Aboriginal Australian why family violence rates are so high in Indigenous communities, and you’ll hear comments like…

• Violence has always been part of their culture
• You can’t fix people that won’t fix themselves
• Yeah, it’s a shocking situation but it’s got nothing to do with me

This 2-part series is a frank and honest chat between two women. RAV co-founder Kirrily Dear talks with Indigenous community worker, mediator, and educator Melissa Stubbings, to peel back the layers of complexity that are keeping Aboriginal women and children trapped at the bottom rung of family violence.  

While this conversation ranges over terrain that is uncomfortable and confronting for all Australians, ultimately, it's message is one of hope, celebration, and new directions.

ALSO IN THIS EPISODE

• David Attrill is back with a progress update two-thirds of the way through the RAV 2021.
• Breathe in, breathe out…That’s all takes to breathe well when running, right? Wrong. Rachel Stanley tells us why all the huffing and puffing is making hard work of your running.
• Q & A: Was there a point where you feared failure when running from Broken Hill to Sydney? Kirrily Dear gives her answer.

If you or someone close to you is experiencing family violence, please talk to someone. You can call 1800 RESPECT (Australia only) if you would like to talk to a professional service or if there is an immediate threat to safety call the police on Triple Zero (000) (Australia only).

A massive thanks to Damo and Jez from the Aussie Runner Podcast (https://aussierunnerpodcast.libsyn.com/) who are donating their time and expertise to make this possible.

You can support the efforts of Run Against Violence by donating at https://www.runagainstviolence.com/donate

You can interact with the ARP team and participate in the Podcast series by leaving a voicemail message https://anchor.fm/run-against-violence/message

In 2014, Travis Ireland decided he wanted to run a marathon. Giving himself a 12-month preparation, Travis went in search of a training program that would keep him motivated and on track for the whole year. When he couldn’t find a solution, Travis developed his own and invited 50 friends to join him for a virtual run around Australia.

ALSO IN THIS EPISODE

• Pat Connell walks us up her local hill and shares why she participates in the Virtual Challenge each year
• 1,2,3,4…1,2,3,4…Rachel Stanley lets us in on the secret rhythm that lets us run injury-free
• Q & A: How does Run Against Violence invest the money it raises? Co-founder Kirrily Dear gives the answer

If you or someone close to you is experiencing family violence please talk to someone. You can call 1800 RESPECT (Australia only) if you would like to talk to a professional service or if there is an immediate threat to safety call the police on Triple Zero (000) (Australia only).

A massive thanks to Damo and Jez from the Aussie Runner Podcast (https://aussierunnerpodcast.libsyn.com/) who are donating their time and expertise to make this possible.

You can support the efforts of Run Against Violence by donating at https://www.runagainstviolence.com/donate

You can interact with the ARP team and participate in the Podcast series by leaving a voicemail message https://anchor.fm/run-against-violence/message

The dots only ever connect looking backward.  It was a long period after leaving her abusive ex-husband and seeking counselling that Anna was finally able to confidently name what she had lived through.  Gaslighting is a subtle and insidious form of emotional abuse that can leave the victim believing they are worthless and going insane. 

Occasionally Anna would chat with girlfriends about things that were happening in her relationship. The responses of those friends, and what Anna learned one day in a high school workshop, set Anna on her path to freedom.

ALSO IN THIS EPISODE

• Anna shares the secrets behind how her team has conquered all four RAV Challenges – Magpies, mud, and head torches.
• Brenton Pobjie from the Shire Riders reminds us that no hill lasts forever.
• Rachel Stanley gets us all re-focused on strength training.

If you or someone close to you is experiencing family violence please talk to someone. You can call 1800 RESPECT (Australia only) if you would like to talk to a professional service or if there is an immediate threat to safety call the police on Triple Zero (000) (Australia only).

A massive thanks to Damo and Jez from the Aussie Runner Podcast (https://aussierunnerpodcast.libsyn.com/) who are donating their time and expertise to make this possible.

You can support the efforts of Run Against Violence by donating at https://www.runagainstviolence.com/donate

You can interact with the ARP team and participate in the Podcast series by leaving a voicemail message https://anchor.fm/run-against-violence/message