Left Write Hook is informed
by real-world research
“I just came across your article about your program combining boxing with writing. I very much hope you and your colleagues will continue with this work, in all its complexities, to help open people’s minds to explore multiple avenues to recovery!”
— Bessel A. van der Kolk MD
University of Melbourne: Researching Survivor Recovery Through RCT
This research project will explore the impact of Left Write Hook on physical and psychological wellbeing, relative to boxing-only, as we already know that exercise can help mental and physical health.
This research will help us offer Left Write Hook to other survivors in the future. We also want to understand how Left Write Hook could be offered in new community settings, to empower survivors of childhood sexual abuse and gendered violence across Australia.
What the research shows
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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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Overall PTSD symptoms have decreased, meaning better emotional recovery.
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Cognitive responses to trauma have improved, indicating healthier processing and coping mechanisms.
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Wellbeing scores have risen, reflecting a more positive outlook and greater overall happiness.
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The quality of trauma-related memories has improved, making them less distressing and more manageable.
Scholarly publications
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Boxing, writing can help survivors of trauma and abuse
Lincoln Tracy
Published in The Medical Republic, 29 August 2024
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Left Write Hook: Boxing with the Boys
Donna Lyon, Claire Gaskin, Gabrielle Everall
Appeared in ‘Intersections of Sport, Society, and Creative Writing’, pp 159–173. Edited by Lee McGowan and Kasey Symons. 19 November 2023
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Left / Write // Hook: A mixed method study of a writing and boxing workshop for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and trauma
Donna Lyon, Shannon Owen, Margaret S. Osborne, Khandis Blake, Bruna Andrades
Published in International Journal of Wellbeing 10 (5): 64-82
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Writing + Boxing = Left / Write // Hook
Donna Lyon, Claire Gaskin, and Gabrielle Everall
Published in TEXT 26 (Special 67): 1–18 , 20 August 2022
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Left Write Hook: trial protocol for a community-based type II hybrid effectiveness-implementation cluster randomised controlled trial of a boxing and writing-based intervention for adult survivors of child sexual abuse and gender-based violence in Australia
Molly Butler, Emma Veltman, Donna Lyon, et al. (2025).
Published in BMJ Open,15, e099536. 10 September 2025. -
Left Write Hook–a case study in ethically engaged documentary filmmaking and writing for the screen using a trauma-informed methodology. Media Practice and Education.
Shannon Owen, Donna Lyon
Published in Media Practice and Education, 20 August 2025
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Left Write Hook; a case study of producing a feature length documentary across and within the marketplace and the academy
Shannon Owen, Donna Lyon
Published in Media Practice and Education, 11 February 2025, 26(3), 283–301.
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Voices to be Heard: An Arts, Health and Justice Perspective on Healing and Recovery from Child Sexual Abuse.
Donna Lyon, Shannon Owen, Ella Dumaresq, David McDonald
University of Melbourne, Published 2024
What professionals are saying
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“In 25+ years of working with people who have experienced childhood sexual abuse, I have come to understand the need to assist people to physically move through, as well as speak about, the trauma in order to lessen the hold that the impacts that the abuse can have on one’s life – Left Write Hook does both with powerful effectiveness.” - Maria Vucko, (BA BSW MSW AMHSW)
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“By no choice of their own, survivors of childhood sexual abuse spend the entirety of their lives ‘in the ring’, fighting. Left Write Hook offers visceral insights into survivors’ fierce, compelling, and ultimately triumphant stories.” - Dr Joy Townsend, Learning Consent
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“Donna Lyon has the ability to get women to open up and reveal all, and in the process begin the journey to healing. Boxing is a violent sport, but projects like Left Write Hook take the violence out of it, so that it becomes therapeutic and gives you power.” - Tommy Hopkins, Fitlife Boxing Club, Master Boxing Victoria