Cade Lucas
There’s plenty of great writing about boxing, and there’s boxers who write, but the two pursuits are usually done independent of one another.
But a program about to launch in Wyndham brings the two together as a way of dealing with trauma from sexual abuse.
Left Write Hook is a survivor-led charity founded by Footscray’s Donna Lyon – herself a victim of child sex abuse – that’s holding an eight-week program in Wyndham starting next month.
“The program is for survivors of child abuse and gendered violence to rewrite their narratives through writing and reclaim their bodies through trauma informed boxing,” said Ms Lyon of the program she began in 2019 and made into a charity in 2022.
She explained how Left Write Hook blends two very different pursuits.
“The first hour we spend writing and sharing and then in the second hour we move into learning the techniques of boxing,” said Ms Lyon, adding:
“It’s a way for people to locate a form of healthy aggression, build community and narrate their experiences.”
Ms Lyon said her own experience was proof of its benefits.
“Boxing has become a metaphor for my recovery and my life as a survivor,” she said.
“The positive effect that boxing has had on me, in terms of my overall health and wellbeing, has been phenomenal. I have met many other women like me and I have a strong desire to share stories of recovery, empowerment and hope, using writing and the sport of boxing to aid this.”
On top of her own anecdotal evidence, Ms Lyon conducted research with a psychologist at the University of Melbourne that found combining writing and boxing reduced PTSD, depression and stress and increased personal agency, belonging and resilience.
Wyndham council have provided a grant to bring Left Write Hook to the municipality, which Ms Lyon said was very necessary.
“Wyndham has a high rate of family and domestic violence,” she said.
“We’re going to where we believe communities need us.”
Left Write Hook will be held at Black Dog Box Fit in Hoppers Crossing from Saturday, July 20.
It’s recommended that people have existing mental health support in place before doing program.
To register, visit: www.leftwritehook.com/
