The RAV Virtual Team Challenge is more than just a run. It is a tribe of people who are living proof that we can build healthy, inclusive and respectful communities where family violence no longer has a role.
After our 2017 Broken Hill to Sydney Virtual Challenge, 59% of participants surveyed said they had more conversations. 58% said they shared more stories and articles about family violence prevention. All those small steps shatter the silence for people who experience family violence.
Many people who experience family violence bear their pain in silence. They fear the stigma and social isolation that may result from speaking out about their experiences. Conversations break that silence and educate the community.
The following quotes are from our supporters, talking about the difference they have seen in their community as a result of participating in Run Against Violence.
People have come up to me and spoke about it when I have wore my shirt, we did an article in the local paper and people wanted to know how they could donate.
It opened dialogue about DV and broke down some stereotypes because I am not the stereotypical DV survivor. I think it opened up how many people it does affect.
People wearing RAV merchandise that raises the opportunity to open conversation.
I participated in the virtual event last year and found the more I posted, the more the social media platforms were covered in a flow of recognition of DV the more people felt its ok to speak up.
Lots of people shared their stories including a friend about her mum who wasn’t able to speak up herself. She is no longer with that man thank goodness.
Conversations with friends and colleague's to discuss the stigma attached.
Friends opening up about experiences.
People speak more freely.
The website has allowed people who have been effected by domestic violence a platform to share their stories & gain support from other people.
I have been involved in many conversations that have led to individuals wanting to take action on the issue.
I wore my RAV shirt while I ran at lunchtime at work and I was stopped often and asked about it. it started conversations.
Certainly education others of the extent of domestic violence is important. My friends genuinely wanted to hear about this run, and the domestic violence aspect too.
A relative had fled DV previously, but had not spoken about it. After the virtual run, I was talking about it and it encouraged her to tell me about her experience and seek further help
I have used run against violence as an example of how the views of domestic violence have changed in society at large when discussing domestic violence with a man who does not believe it is a problem.
Seeing posts on Instagram, I thanked participants for running for the cause and shared that I was a survivor.
Triggered a conversation between myself ad my daughters. Aged 24 and 16 years. I want them to have the tools to know and understand DV as I don't want them to be a victim like myself.
Facebook conversations in private groups with friends that hadn't spoken about the subject to me before.
A lady told me she is now in her 70's that she and her mother were affected by DV and she's so proud people are now talking about it.
Motivated me to talk about my own experiences.
Conversation in the community about family violence increased during the virtual challenge with local newspaper articles and social media posts about the Virtual Ultra Marathon and fundraising cause.
Just wearing my Run Against Violence shirt has lead to someone opening up about how they have been effected by DV in their family home growing up. A secret that this person has kept for years.