Got Your Back Sista's I Run For Her Goes National

Australia, it's time to say NO. I Run For Her, the annual community event by Got Your Back Sista, is sparking critical conversations around domestic violence on a national scale for the first time, with events hosted across Australia on 15 October 2023.

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Highlighted in recent media as a “national shame”, Australia’s abuse rates are a problem of epidemic proportions. The shocking statistics* indicate the issue is showing no signs of decreasing:

• one in three women experienced physical violence

• one in four women experienced violence by an intimate partner or family member

• one in five women experienced sexual violence

• one woman every nine days is killed by a current or former partner.

“Let’s talk about it, Australia. Let’s take a close look at the prevalence of family and domestic violence and ask why, in 2023, this is still happening. Let’s take practical steps to make our communities a safer place. Let’s encourage people who need help to access available services,” said Got Your Back Sista Founder Melissa Histon.

Australian celebrity Madeleine West is an ambassador for this year’s I Run For Her after participating in last year’s event.

“We cannot change what we cannot see, and domestic violence has been lurking in the shadows for too long. The social, economic and personal cost is too great to ignore. These are difficult but necessary conversations. For those experiencing domestic violence, the sense of isolation is crushing. But you are not alone; united, we can make a difference,” said Madeleine.

Got Your Back Sista will be hosting free community BBQs in Newcastle, Lake Mac and Hunter Region for I Run For Her participants (wearing their event t-shirts) on the day:

• Newcastle: Empire Park, 8.30am to 11am

• Lake Macquarie: Warners Bay Foreshore near the Rotunda, 8.30am to 11am

• Muswellbrook: Simpson Park, 8.30am to 11am

• Maitland: Hosted by Hope UC church - at Maitland Park (between the Croquet Club and Netball Courts), 12pm

This is the fourth year the event has been held in Newcastle. For more information, visit www.gotyourbacksista.com.

*Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021-22 Personal Safety Survey