Hey guys, I have been tossing and turning about sharing this as I know this is an uncomfortable topic for many and then I realised - that is exactly why I need to share and do this.

October is sexual violence awareness month and I will be running 100km this month to raise money for BRISSC.

Some of you may have never heard of BRISSC. Hopefully you will never need their services.

But for those that do, the survivors, the fighters, the ones left deflated and broken in the aftermath of sexual assault and yet refusing to give up, for decades, BRISSC and Women's House have been a safe haven and pillar of strength when all other flickers of hope have been extinguished.

They provide counselling, victim-survivor support and even help you through the court process if you choose to press charges and they ask for nothing in return.

Did you know:

-The majority (92%) of women who experienced sexual assault did not report the incident to the police?

BRISSC offer support and counselling to both those who have chosen to report as well as those who, for their own reasons that we should all respect, have not come forward.

Navigating life post sexual assault is isolating, soul crushing and can break your spirit - BRISSC are there to support you no matter what your story is or the path you've chosen to take in the aftermath.

Unfortunately they are also unbelievably underfunded - at the moment their wait list is up to 3 months for the highest priority cases...

They just simply do not have the funding and resources they need to spread across to all those who so very much need them.

So this October, I am taking a stand.

I am taking my life, my dignity and livelyhood back and choosing to run 100km this month to raise funds for and help BRISSC continue their incredible work with victim-survivors.

So please dig deep and give whatever you can to help this tiny power house of an organization keep doing the amazing work they do, helping vicitm-survivors find their voice and see the glimmer of hope that will help them on the road to reclaiming their lives and bodies.

Every dollar helps.

Ngā mihi,

Crina