SAFM’s Reclaim the Run event is set to return on Thursday 29 July with a broader focus on violence against women in streets, homes, and workplaces.
The first Reclaim the Run held in 2019 saw 2000 people choose to stand up for women’s safety by running together through Adelaide’s Elder Park.
Sadly, the statistics are still alarming. In 2019, 58 women were killed by violence in Australia, 55 in 2020, and as of 5 July, 21 women have been killed by violence in Australia*.
Friends, wives, sisters, mums, and daughters deserve to feel safe whilst at home, work and in public, so SAFM’s breakfast show, Bec, Cosi & Lehmo, is spearheading a campaign to draw attention to violence against women, culminating in the second event at Elder Park on 29 July.
The original event was born following the frightening attacks on two local women whilst out for a run in Oaklands Park. One of the victims, Jeannie, agreed to be interviewed by Bec, Cosi & Lehmo to talk about what Reclaim the Run means to her.
As part of the interview, Jeannie says: “It is very emotional. It was amazing to think people would rally around that cause. There is a small minority of men who still think it’s ok to jeer, it’s not. It’s not ok to verbally abuse, it’s not ok to physically abuse anybody, male or female.”
From 13 July, Bec, Cosi and Lehmo will welcome guests each day to talk about violence against women. Domestic violence survivors, women attacked on their runs, violence against women campaigners, and relatives of those lost to violence will be given a voice to tell their stories to highlight the importance of this issue.
Rebecca Morse says: “Violence against women has to stop. This year has seen a real awakening for women ready to take on men who have been violent towards them. Courage shown by women including Grace Tame, Brittany Higgins and many others has ignited us around the country to walk and speak for those who no longer can.
“Reclaim the Run is our way of bringing women, and the men who stand beside them, together to address how to call out disrespectful behaviour, language, and violence towards women.”
Andrew “Cosi” Costello says: “I have two daughters and it is frightening to think they are growing up in a world where one in three women has experienced physical and/or sexual violence since the age of 15.
“We encourage everyone in Adelaide to come out on the 29 July to Reclaim the Run as a show of strength and solidarity for women feeling unsafe, with the hope that we can educate men that violence against women is not ok.”
Anthony “Lehmo” Lehmann says: “Disrespect and violence against women is no joke. If you hear a mate tell a sexist joke, then you can stand up for gender equality by not laughing and letting them know that type of ‘humour’ is not acceptable.
“Calling out violence against women and supporting them is the first step. Doing nothing does harm. That is why at SAFM we want to do something, even if we help just one woman get out of a violent situation, it is still making a difference to that one woman.”
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