LIMESTONE Coast runners are taking steps to end family violence in the Run Against Violence Virtual Team Challenge.
The 20 participants from Mount Gambier, Penola, Naracoorte and Adelaide will make the simulated 1300km ‘virtual journey’ from Broken Hill to Sydney in 19 days to raise awareness and break the silence of domestic violence.
Mount Gambier resident and team captain Belinda Seaman said the all-female team was bound by a determination to start constructive and inclusive conversations.
“Domestic violence is something which affects our region and you do not know about it until you open the door and start the conversation,” she said.
“When I first did the run, I had quite a few people come up to me and talk to me about their experience with domestic violence.
“Some were people I have met in the last couple of years, while others were people I have known for years and years who I had no idea about.
“There were women who had been in domestic violence situations and there was one woman who experienced it as a child in her household.
“All of those people are survivors and it was great to get their support and hear their stories.”
During the unique digital challenge, participants walk or run in their area and then upload their distances to a website.
Data is aggregated into teams and participants then watch their team track across a map from Broken Hill to Sydney – or 1300km.
“1300km is roughly 1.7 million steps, which represents the estimated number of Australians who experience physical abuse before the age of 15,” Ms Seaman said.
“It is an enormous number.
“Some of the women are very committed runners and it is something they love to do and others are doing it because it is a very important cause.
“Doing it every day for 19 days does turn it into a real challenge and some people will take days off where they walk instead of run.
“There are some women who have not done a lot of walking or running in recent years, but they have been motivated by the cause.”
The Coastal Crusaders team comprises of women aged between 25 and 60 and has already covered the equivalent of 850km with 11 days of the challenge remaining.
“At the moment we are sitting at sixth place in the competition, which has more than 125 teams,” she said.
“We have a great team of runners and walkers and we hope to break the silence and the stigma of domestic violence.”
Run Against Violence co-founder Kirrily Dear praised the Limestone Coast group for its efforts, saying each small step shatters the silence for people who have experienced family violence.
The volunteer organisation encourages people to remove social barriers through starting inclusive conversations.
The organisation supports the process through delivering awareness campaigns, community activities and sharing stories.
If you have experienced sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call the Limestone Coast Domestic Violence Service on 1800 800 098 or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 (24/7 counselling).
If you are in need of immediate assistance contact Lifeline on 131 114, Kids Help Line on 1800 551 800 or Police on 000 if it is an emergency.
