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Fundraising tips to power your Darkness to Daylight journey

Every dollar you raise helps us take a stand against domestic and family violence. Darkness to Daylight is more than just a run, it’s a movement for change. Your fundraising supports vital education, training, and awareness programs that empower individuals, workplaces, and communities to prevent domestic and family violence before it begins. By setting a personal goal, rallying your team, or encouraging friends and family to donate, you’re actively contributing to a safer future. Toget...

Rob Reed OAM: Sacred Running and the Individual

In 1995 I took part in the American Indian Movement’s Sacred Run in Japan with an amazing group of people from many corners of the world. The Run followed the tradition of carrying a message on foot from village to village. The Run’s message was ‘All Life Is Sacred’ and it was carried in a staff of willow with eagle feathers down the west coast of Japan over two months arriving in Hiroshima and then Nagasaki on the 50th anniversaries of the dropping of the atomic bombs....

Why safe, inclusive environments matter in addressing DFV

Creating safe and inclusive environments is essential in addressing domestic and family violence (DFV). These spaces – whether in workplaces, schools, sports clubs, or community groups – can be a crucial support system for individuals affected by violence. For many, they are among the few environments that provide a temporary break from the abuse.Studies have shown that DFV significantly impacts Australian workplaces, affecting employee wellbeing and organisational productivity (Our Watch, 2...

Empowering women through insight: A resource for multicultural women leaders

The new Empowerment Through Insight resource, developed in partnership with the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) and the Women’s Ethnic Network (WEN), is designed to equip multicultural women leaders with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to support women in their communities.Women from different cultural backgrounds face additional challenges when experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV). Cultural expectations, language barriers, and systemic inequities can prevent wo...

Creating Safer Communities: Men's Role in Preventing Gender-Based Violence

As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, join us for this free and insightful webinar exploring the crucial role men can play in preventing violence against women. Hosted by Challenge DV in collaboration with Griffith University, this session will delve into how harmful gender norms perpetuate violence and what practical steps men can take to foster respect and equality in their communities.Featuring an expert panel facilitated by Professor Patrick O’Leary, a...

‘Why We Run’: St Teresa’s Catholic College’s Award-Winning DFV Program

We’re thrilled to congratulate St Teresa’s Catholic College, Noosaville, for winning the Archdiocese of Brisbane’s prestigious Spirit of Catholic Education Award 2024. This incredible achievement recognises the school’s groundbreaking “Why We Run” program, which inspires students and staff to stand up against domestic and family violence. The St Teresa’s students and community have raised over $59,000 for Challenge DV’s Darkness to Daylight challenge since first participating in ...

Get Darkness to Daylight ready with these top tips

Darkness to Daylight 2024 is fast approaching, and we couldn’t be more excited for Brisbane to unite against domestic and family violence as we enter a new decade of this special event.To help you prepare for the big day, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know below so you’re ready to rise to the challenge....

Wear Purple for Change

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with GaWun Supplies and the launch of the Gani Yirra project.Beyond being visually striking, these purple work shirts by GaWun Supplies are designed to spark meaningful conversations and shine a light on the unique challenges faced by Indigenous women in our communities.Each shirt features the intricate artwork of Sharaya Summers, a proud Mandingalbay Yidinji and Birrigubba woman. Sharaya's design represents the profound impact of domestic and family v...

Darkness to Daylight 2024: Join us to end domestic and family violence

Embark on a meaningful journey this May with Darkness to Daylight, Queensland’s premier event for domestic and family violence awareness and prevention. Returning to Parliament House in 2024, stand united with our community against abuse, whether walking, jogging, or running, solo or with a team.Every step counts - walk or run for a great cause this May.Register Now >Donate > See you at the start line! ...

Holidays + Hot Weather: The Perfect Storm for DFV

Domestic and family violence spikes during the holiday period, and new research reveals why this may be an even bigger issue in Australia.The new data highlights a relationship between hot temperatures and violence: as temperatures rise, so do incidences of aggression. However, the effect of heat was far greater on domestic violence than any other type of violent crime.On The Briefing podcast this week, researcher Heather R. Stevens of Macquarie University hypothesised that perpetrators were mor...

16 Days of Activism: Uniting Against Gender-Based Violence

One initiative that has been making waves in the fight against gender-based violence is the "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence" campaign. Initiated by UN Women, this annual global campaign aims to shed light on the dark corners of gender-based violence, advocating for its prevention and eradication....

Why We Run - Documentary Premiere

Why We Run is the story of 16 teenagers learning about domestic and family violence, but its impact is so much bigger than that. Over 12 weeks, students from St Teresa’s Catholic College Noosaville ran for someone who has survived domestic and family violence. All the while they were learning about healthy relationships and the impacts of violence. Domestic and family violence can be a tough topic to approach, but Why We Run – directed by Dr Cameron Cliff – shows that there is hope and a...

Hoodie Giveaway Winners Announcement

Huge thanks to everyone who was able to donate money over the past few weeks and share their contribution on social media. We understand budgets are stretched at the moment so we really appreciate those who found some extra cash to support our work. We’re delighted to announce five winners have been chosen at random. Congratulations Coralee, Lily, Luathati, Kerrie and Amy! Your gorgeous, limited-edition Challenge DV hoodies are currently being printed and will soon be in your hands.&...

Extraordinary evening at the inaugural Finding Freedom: Art Auction and Exhibition for World Refugee Week 2023

Works by talented artists from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Venezuela, and more were energetically sold in live auctions facilitated by Christian Hamilton of Harcourts Real Estate, as well as some tough battles in the silent auctions! 100% of sales went directly to the talented artists. All other proceeds from the event, including raffles and donation contributions, went to Helping Hands, a grassroots charity supporting refugee and migrant communities in Logan. Guests ...

Darkness to Daylight 2023 wrap

Over $226,000 Donated for Darkness to Daylight 2023The sun has set on the 10th Darkness to Daylight, after 2431 people took part and more than $226,000 was raised.Challenge DV brought 2023’s Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month to a close with its annual community event for all fitness levels and abilities.The Brisbane City Botanic Gardens was abuzz with contenders joining the 110km overnight run on May 30th, and then the 10km run and 3km walk in the early hours of May 31st.Accompanyi...

Remembering Doreen: daughter’s mission to combat domestic and family violence

Shayne Probert has a very personal reason to join the fight against domestic and family violence.In 2021, Shayne’s mother Doreen Langham was murdered by a former partner who set her house on fire. Since then, Shayne has shared Doreen’s story to encourage more conversations about domestic and family violence.And on May 31, Shayne will join Darkness to Daylight to honour her mum.“I am here to be the voice that she would have been for me or anyone that she knew if they were in a DV situation....

EVENT: Darkness to Daylight | 1 to 31 May 2023

When Darkness to Daylight started, on average 110 people were dying from domestic and family violence every year in Australia. Darkness to Daylight is a 110km run where each kilometre represents one of those lives lost. It is a long distance, challenging both mentally and physically. Participants come together to run and walk in teams to support each other. You can run, walk, 3km or all of it, all that matters is that you do it with a purpose, and join us in standing up to domestic and family vi...

Get Moving in May to Challenge Domestic Violence

Hit the pavement, hiking trails, dirt tracks or surface of your choice to take a stand against domestic and family violence next month.Recognised as Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention Month, May is the perfect time to commit to challenging a community-wide issue that touches every group in society.Today, Challenge DV launched its national Darkness to Daylight 2023 campaign in Mackay.Acting CEO Keith Tracey-Patte said the Darkness to Daylight event is an opportunity for teams and indiv...

New Coercive Control Laws for Queensland

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk described coercive control as an intentional pattern of abusive behaviours that lie at the core of domestic and family violence.Challenge DV is encouraged by the development and is optimistic it’ll lead to increased understanding of coercive control before it becomes an offense later in the year.Acting Chief Executive Officer Keith Tracey-Patte said it’s vital that first responders, employers and the broader community is informed about coercive control and what ...

Challenge DV’s Amy Cook spoke to 4BC’s Spencer Howson to shine a light on coercive control and the actions individuals can take to make a difference

Domestic and family violence is often not visible. Coercive control can lead to isolation, fear and long-term health and economic impacts for those being abused, including children. The 2022 report by the Domestic and Family Violence Death Review and Advisory Board has found that in a significant proportion of domestic violence deaths, the fatality was the first instance of physical violence. But coercive control is almost always present in an abusive relationship....

Meet the team: Saesha Stowers

Saesha has been working with Challenge DV since May 2022, having completed her secondary studies.She’s our amazing moderator, so if you take one of our workplace programs, she is typically behind the scenes making sure our customers have a seamless learning experience.Saesha’s also a whizz at administration and analysis, turning data from our customer surveys into meaningful intelligence to support us to create even better experiences for our customers.Outside of work, Saesha loves Korean fo...

Thank you for all your support this year

As 2022 draws to a close, the Challenge DV team want to thank all our incredible partners and supporters for being with us for the year and supporting us to make an impact as we work towards ending domestic and family violence together. Whether it be taking part in our workplace programs, Darkness to Daylight or one of our social impact initiatives, we are endlessly grateful for the community we have built around our shared mission to end domestic and family violence. Thank you for being pa...

Meet the team: Enisy Pratha

Enisy joined the Challenge DV team in October 2022, having graduated with distinction with a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Marketing, from Swinburne University of Technology.  This is Enisy's first job following graduation, but she has gained valuable skills and experience throughout her studies, including a Digital Marketing internship with a not-for-profit, working as a Market Researcher in the Global Victoria Intellect Program 2020, and as a Marketing Assistant. Enisy also worked as...

Looking UNDER COVER to understand the women’s homelessness epidemic

We were delighted to welcome around 50 guests to a special screening of UNDER COVER, a documentary exploring why women over 50 are the fastest growing group of people experiencing homelessness, at Elizabeth Picture Theatre last night.  The event, part of Challenge DV’s 16 Days of Activism activities, included a panel discussion on the key themes of the film and exploring what we can do to address it.   There are so many contributing factors, but domestic and family violence is a...

Engaging the CCF to recognise, respond and refer to domestic and family violence

Our wonderful Workplace Programs Manager, Sian Fullerton, was invited to talk about how to recognise, respond and refer when a colleague may be impacted by domestic and family violence at the Civil Contractors Federation Queensland's breakfast yesterday morning.Over 50 Seymour Whyte crew members attended the site breakfast held in Pimpama, which was set up to engage CCF members about domestic and family violence during 16 Days of Activism.With thanks to Civil Contractors Federation Queensland CE...