Reclaim. Rewrite. Release.
Empowering adult survivors of child sexual abuse and trauma to reclaim their bodies and rewrite their stories.
Latest news
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Left Write Hook documentary wins MIFF 2024 Audience Award
“We have shined a spotlight on shame. We have made something beautiful out of something sad and tragic. I’m so proud of our commitment and bravery.”
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Australian Combat & Exercise and LWH announce education partnership
This collaboration will provide specialised boxing education, equipping LWH facilitators with essential skills to lead their recovery programs.
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World premiere of Left Write Hook documentary
Today is the world premiere of the Left Write Hook documentary. The film will play at a black-carpet event presented by DECJUBA.
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Are you eligible for our upcoming research trial?
Recruitment is open for our randomised control trial with the University of Melbourne.
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MIFF tickets are on sale today
It's the time we've all been waiting for - tickets for the Left Write Hook documentary are now on sale!
The documentary
For eight survivors of childhood sexual abuse, a groundbreaking program turns into a journey of recovery, transformation and friendship in this documentary from director Shannon Owen.
Our work is backed by real-world reseach
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There is a drop in participants’ scores, showing marked improvements in mental health.
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There is a clear reduction in complex PTSD symptoms, helping survivors regain control over their lives.
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Cognitive responses to trauma have improved, indicating healthier processing and coping mechanisms.
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Cognitive responses to trauma have improved, indicating healthier processing and coping mechanisms.
Our impact to date
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68
victim-survivor participants have completed the our flagship 8-week program. This number continues to grow.
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14
individuals with lived/living experience have been upskilled to become Left Write Hook facilitators with over 285 hours of training.
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10
programs have been delivered across various Melbourne suburbs.
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> 50%
of our participants return for a second or third program.
Upcoming programs
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LWH Randomised Control Trial
Commencing September 2024
We are running a number of programs as part of a randomised control trial in partnership with the University of Melbourne. Recruitment is now open.
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Left Write Hook Manningham program
March 2025
Our flagship 8-week program incorporating boxing and creative writing, designed and delivered by lived-experience survivors, is coming to Manningham.
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Join the waitlist
We are currently seeking funding so that we can bring our flagship program to more survivors. If you would like us to set up a program near you, please subscribe to our newsletter and let us know where you are based. This information will help us to secure funding to run a program in your area.
Praise for
Left Write Hook
“Left Write Hook felt like I untangled my trauma from its tight little ball inside my chest - and when I spoke the thread of my experience connected with the experiences of other women - I realised this thread ran through not just my body but the bodies of other survivors.” - Erica
Left / Write // Hook: Survivor Stories from a Creative Arts Boxing and Writing Project
A curated book of writings that traces the profound impact of child sexual abuse and trauma on the lives of survivors and the positive impact of writing, boxing and peer support.
Left Write Hook in the media
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The Medical Republic
Boxing, writing can help survivors of trauma and abuse
After years of battling with the list of symptoms linked to her abuse, Dr Lyon undertook a journey that resulted in the development of Left Write Hook, a research-informed eight-week boxing and writing workshop for adult survivors of child sexual abuse and other complex trauma.
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The Project
Transforming Trauma: The Boxing Writing Workshop for Survivors
Just a few years ago, Donna Lyons founded Left Write Hook, a boxing and writing workshop, that is helping transform the lives of survivors of complex traumas, empowering them to take back their power.
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The Guardian
‘People’s lives have been changed’: could boxing help child abuse survivors deal with trauma?
Left Write Hook, a unique support group in Melbourne, combines boxing and writing to help survivors feel empowered – and is the subject of a punchy new documentary.
Our partners
