Trigger warning - The article and linked podcast episode contain discussions of physical and mental abuse, if you need support or are seeking help please contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) - This is a 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

For 24 hours - from 12pm Friday 20th August until 12pm Saturday 21st August 2021 - I will not be doing business as usual, I will instead be directing all of my website traffic to raise funds for RizeUp to help shine light on the massive issue that is domestic violence within our very backyard, Australia.

RizeUp is a community-driven organisation of passionate men and women, dedicated to supporting the many families affected by domestic and family violence. The incredible charity not only aims to drive awareness to domestic violence but provides support with emergency relocations, home set ups and school supplies.

I first came across this foundation about 5 years ago when I had a lot of great furniture to donate. They came and picked up a truck full of things and I had a big chat about their work and have regularly supported them ever since.

Here are just a few shocking facts about domestic violence in Australia:

• 1 woman dies a week at the hands of her partner
• 2020 was the worst year in history for Domestic Violence
• 1 in 3 women have experienced physical and or sexual violence by a
• current or previous partner
• 61% had children in their care at the time
• 3 in 10 Assault hospitalisations for people aged 15 and over were due to family and domestic violence.
• 72,000 women, 34,000 children and 9,000 men sought homelessness services in 2016–17 due to family/domestic violence

To support this life-changing organisation, I have decided that for 24 hours - from 12pm Friday 20th August until 12pm Saturday 21st August - I will not be business as usual and instead focusing on raising funds for RizeUp. 

Please join me in supporting this incredible initiative - even $2 towards this amazing charity will change lives. You can change the lives of families impacted by domestic violence by donating money, furniture, household goods, and electrical items. Every donation you make helps make a difference to the lives of these vulnerable people. To make a donation, click here. 

I will be leaving this fundraiser page open until 12pm Wednesday 25 August so we can raise as much as possible together. 

If you do donate, please share your contribution on Instagram stories and tag me @sophie_guidolin so I can share your kindness and we can spread the word about domestic violence together. 

You can also volunteer and provide practical assistance by helping  coordinate and fit out homes, organise events, assist with their school holiday program, or provide administration support. To volunteer, click here. 

I encourage you to listen to this week’s episode of Flourish & Fulfilled, where I chat to RizeUp founder, Nicolle Edwards. We discuss everything from the heartbreaking statistics of domestic violence in Australia, to the incredible stories of change that RizeUp have made in families lives, who have been affected by domestic and family violence. It is such an eye-opening and informative episode and I hope we change the stigma of who the victims of domestic violence actually are, how we can help and how we can all change the next generation. You can listen to the full podcast episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

For more information on RizeUp visit www.rizeup.com.au

If you need support or are seeking help please contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) - This is a 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.