Newcastle Night Striders start a powerful conversation

by Mel Nunn

A few years ago, a friend and I started Reclaim the Run. It was a way to connect our community of fierce women with a broader campaign against domestic violence in Australia. That year we donated a part of our funds to a woman who used her love of running to create social change. That was when our relationship with Run Against Violence started. Since then, I have had hundreds of conversations with people about this issue. Sometimes those conversations are uncomfortable. This is especially so when discussing the origins of violence against women in Australia. Some are short messages of support and other times disclosures of pain.

There is something about the physical strength of running that allows us to feel safe enough to share our stories. When women run together, they talk. When women talk to each other, they are supportive. This is part of the success of a project like RAV. It enables us to work together communally.

On a practical level, our running gang funds students through the Helen Maslen scholarship at Newcastle University. Our donated funds provide financial support to students who have experienced domestic violence. This ensures they can maintain their studies.

Our running events have been promoted in local newspapers and on the radio. It takes the message to the broader community, and facilitates the development of a network of connections.

Mel Nunn