Local residents are running to pave the way to prevent sexual assault and family violence.

Local runners and walkers alike are participating in the fourth annual Run Against Violence (RAV) Virtual Team Challenge, a nationwide movement to raise awareness of family violence by running 1300 kilometres.

Launching Place resident Rebecca Cochrane will be taking part this year in a team of ten. Their goal is to run 1300 kilometres across 19 days equating to approximately 1.7 million steps, one for each of the estimated number of Australians who experienced physical abuse before the age of 15.

“The idea is about just getting people talking about domestic violence and getting the word out there. It’s more prevalent than what you realise,” she said.

Ms Cochrane is the leader of the team ‘Twisted Sisters’ and like many, she has someone close to her who has been impacted by domestic violence.

“I’ve got a friend, who is one of the team members, who is a survivor of the most horrendous of domestic violence situations. It’s many years on and she still battles her demons daily to function and be a member of society.

Ms Cochrane has been taking part in the Run Against Violence since 2017 and taking part in other similar events such as Run4Blue, Move4Dignity each year her group of teammates growing bigger.

“When you do a virtual run there’s usually some sort of forum where you chat or post your challenges and you sort of make those virtual friendships with other people. There’s doctors, nurses, mums, survivors taking part, a whole cohort of different people.”

“For me, running and being the team captain for the Run Against Violence, it’s about getting people talking about it. Since doing this I’ve had another couple of ladies approach me and tell me they either have been or still are victims of domestic violence at home.

“Through lockdown it was really important to support each other and keep each other motivated and get out there. Winter in the Yarra Valley can be pretty tough running. It takes some enthusiasm to get out there some days.

“It just creates a supportive place to talk about all sorts of things going on. It’s not all doom and gloom about domestic violence. It’s about families and running challenges and connections with like minded people raising awareness for a good cause.”

Ms Cochrane encourages other Yarra Valley residents to take part as registrations are still open before the challenge commences on 30 August.

“Doing something for a cause like this is the motivation someone needs to make changes in their own lives for health and fitness reasons. It makes you feel good getting out there and doing the kilometres. It being a team effort, it makes you more accountable for what you’ve pledged and motivates you to keep going.”

The latest data from the Crime Statistics Agency found that one in five offences recorded across the state were family violence-related (21.1 per cent). Despite overall decreases in criminal offences recorded, family violence-related offences increased 11.3 per cent in the year ending 31 March 2021. The increase was particularly driven by breaches of family violence orders and family violence-related common assaults.

CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said, “Victoria has recorded the highest ever number of family incidents and family violence-related criminal offences during this period.

“The number of family violence-related victim reports has continued to increase, while other types of victim reports decreased over the past 12 months.

“This increase in family violence-related victimisation has been seen for the last three years, reflecting more than pandemic-related impacts.”

Kirrily Dear and Brad Smithers established the charity Run Against Violence in 2015. The RAV Virtual Team Challenge was established in 2017 in conjunction with Ms Dear’s solo run from Broken Hill to Sydney which was held over 19 days.

Ms Dear said RAV highlights family violence is a significant problem in our communities.

“Our job is to engage the broader community in conversations about family violence to reduce the stigma and isolation of people who have lived with domestic and family violence.

“When that stigma is removed people then share their story, reach out for help. We deliver awareness campaigns and community activities in order to create the platform for these conversations around family violence to be heard”.

During the challenge, teams of up to 20 people will walk or run in their local area. Daily uploads of their distances onto an online tracker keeps them in the competition.

RAV has recently joined forces 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.

NAPCAN’s Deputy CEO, Leesa Waters said she is “very excited” to have the support of RAV in their work.

“Both our organisations are particularly concerned about the impacts of violence on children. Both our organisations believe that we all have a part to play. And both our organisations believe that educating young people is key for short and long term change.”