LJAY's 2020 HALF MARATHON FOR WOMEN'S REFUGE

I'm running a half marathon to raise awareness and funds for Women's Refuge. I'll be participating in the Hawkes Bay Marathon in May 2020. Cases of abuse are very high in New Zealand and it would be greatly beneficial if society had more insight into this issue.

I would love if you would get behind me and support what this amazing organisation provide for our women in New Zealand.

Being someone who has personally benefited from the Wellington Women's Refuge program, I cannot begin to express how incredible their work is. Women's Refuge work extremely hard to empower women to live a life free of abuse.

For women who have been abused, coming to terms with the realisation of their situation can be extremely difficult. Often it takes a decent amount of time for women to gain the courage to seek help. Women's Refuge provide a safe, trusting and supportive environment which encourages women to face their painful reality. Their program's and one on one sessions have been incredibly successful, with my story being one of them. Women's Refuge provide knowledge around the complex topic of 'abuse', which allows victims to understand what they have been enduring. At the beginning of each program women often first attend being very scared and beaten down. Over the duration of the course there is a massive transformation as women gain confidence, self worth, strength and knowledge, which helps them break the cycle of abuse.

For abuse victims it can be an extremely lonely time due to the lack of understanding from society. Abuse is a very complex topic that has many different dynamics to it. Women's Refuge provide great support for victims as they understand the cycle and the effects of abuse. They allow the victim to process their trauma without feeling judged or left to feel 'crazy'.