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!

-------------------

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

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…

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

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

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

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

Matt is a lawyer practicing in the field of child protection and adoption law. 

In this episode, Matt gives us the behind-the-scenes view of the extreme highs and lows of his chosen path. We learn about the processes within our court system that are designed to protect children and Matt shares the stories of the families he assists.

“One of the messages that I would like to share today is a story of resilience. There certainly are children and families who have faced a lot of suffering, because of family violence.  But coming from that are stories of children who have learned to overcome and families who have put measures in place to get themselves out of that cycle.”

ALSO IN THIS EPISODE

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

Margie Lewis has dedicated her professional and personal life to helping others within her community.

In this interview, Margie helps us all be that bit braver and explores the realities of life for children who live within family violence.

Children exposed to violence will often exhibit challenging behaviours and become labeled with psychological disorders, or criminal records, that can define their path for life.

“Labels are for jars, not for people. [These children] are given a diagnosis but the diagnosis is situational. In another situation, that child wouldn’t have that diagnosis.

Some kids will retreat but others will go on to [use violence] and end up in the juvenile justice system.

The role Love Bites and RAV can play is to cut through that cycle and teach these kids what healthy relationships look like.”

----

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

----

ALSO IN THIS EPISODE

Pat Farmer drops in to give you a pep talk.

Meet the students and supporters at Redeemer Lutheran College and learn why they are participating in this year's Run Against Violence.

Our sideline commentator, David Attrill provides a recap of the antics and achievements from Day 1 of RAV 2021.

Feel like you’re running with a wetsuit on? Rachel Stanley peels back the layers of why it’s happening and what to do about it.

Kylie Brown is one of the instigators of Run Against Violence in Port Macquarie, NSW. Kylie confesses that it’s not her ‘love’ for running that brings her back to the RAV Challenge each year, it’s the power of the conversation that unfolds.

Shortly after marrying at 25 years old, Kylie and her husband took custody of Kylie’s three stepsisters and raised them as their own.

Kylie’s crazy large heart, her love for her family and community, is a guiding light to us all.

LISTEN ON

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/15g5fFyGtWBrQRchE0br7k

Anchor - https://anchor.fm/run-against-violence

Breaker - https://www.breaker.audio/run-against-violence

Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82NWJmYWJlOC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

RadioPublic - https://radiopublic.com/run-against-violence-Wx1kvg

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

ALSO IN THIS EPISODE

· Meet Team Twisted Sisters and the sisterhood that has grown from taking steps together

· Countering a common belief, Rachel Stanley answers the question; “Are humans born to run?”

· “You’ll never end family violence”, RAV co-founder Kirrily Dear shares how together we will all achieve what other people believe is impossible.

In 2017, Dani was interstate visiting a friend when she received a phone call from the police. Six detectives had arrived at her house that morning and arrested her controlling, abusive ex-husband.

In this episode, Dani publicly shares her story for the first time. She details her life before that day, her shock and bewilderment of what she learned from the police and her steps since to recover her physical, mental and emotional health. 

>>>>

Listen On

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/15g5fFyGtWBrQRchE0br7k

Anchor - https://anchor.fm/run-against-violence

Breaker - https://www.breaker.audio/run-against-violence

Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82NWJmYWJlOC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

RadioPublic - https://radiopublic.com/run-against-violence-Wx1kvg

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

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).

>>>

Also In This Episode

Australian Olympic marathoner, Ellie Pashley gives a shout out to all the RAVers

Dani shares personal story so we can learn how to be better friends and a stronger community for people who have experienced violence

David Attrill, RAV’s finish line commentator from 2019 and 2020 is back to rev you up for the Challenge ahead

Sophie introduces Team Finish What You Started, a veteran team of the RAV Virtual Challenge who have managed to live up to their name each year.

RAV Co-Founder Kirrily Dear answers the burning question on everyone’s lips – Why Broken Hill to Sydney?

Belinda Seaman spied a Facebook advertisement for the inaugural 2017 Run Against Violence Virtual Team Challenge, bounced the idea around her running group and days later had two teams of 10 ready to participate.

“We put some articles in the local paper and contacted the radio station to let people know what we were doing.

As a result of that, I had friends that I had known for years, stop and chat and tell me their stories.

These were people that you never would have guessed in a million years that they had been through what they had been through.”

Within a short time, Belinda’s love for running had shattered the silence in her South Australian community.

Listen On

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/15g5fFyGtWBrQRchE0br7k

Anchor - https://anchor.fm/run-against-violence

Breaker - https://www.breaker.audio/run-against-violence

Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82NWJmYWJlOC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

RadioPublic - https://radiopublic.com/run-against-violence-Wx1kvg

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

Also In This Episode

Dean Karnazes drops in to wish you the greatest success as you take on the RAV Challenge

Belinda Seaman takes steps to prevent family violence in Mt Gambier

The Red Hot Chilli Stepper Moles team take you on a tour of their backyard

Resident physio Rachel Stanley answers the question “Is running once a week enough?”

Co-founder Kirrily Dear shares WHY they started Run Against Violence