10 WOMEN, 12 WEEKS. FIGHTING DOMESTIC ABUSE, THROUGH LIFE CHANGING TRAINING.

I'm Sarah, one of the participants in the Fight Forward program and Co-Founder of Darklight.

We are working in partnership with Fight Forward C.I.C, a non-profit organisation using boxing to support and empower women out of domestic abuse.

Last year, 1.4 million women were victims of domestic violence in the UK, and one in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. Something I’ve experienced and will be talking about for the first time.

For me, boxing has always been a safe space, where I feel empowered and strong, mentally and physically. It pushes and challenges me beyond what I thought I was capable of, and this programme is an extension of that.

We've been training 8 times a week coached by three inspiring female boxing champions - Gold medalist and former GB boxer Lesley Sackey, former GB boxer Ruth Raper, and ABA champion Lisa Moore.

10 amazing women have come together to create something incredibly powerful over the 12 weeks of training, culminating in getting in the boxing ring for the first time, to fight 3 rounds, in front of hundreds of spectators.

Contributions will go towards:

- Future initiatives by Fight Forward and training of the next cohort of women

- A 100 page coffee table book of images shot by photographer, director Rebecca Naen over the 12 weeks, documenting this journey. Books will be for sale on the Darklight website, with profits going to Fight Forward.

- A short film directed and shot by Rebecca Naen

- An exhibition showcasing images and a film screening of the above on Friday 14th June 2024, which you can attend.

Get tickets here

All this to further raise awareness of Fight Forward and domestic abuse.

Let's change the perception of women affected by domestic abuse.

Every contribution brings us one step closer to empowering survivors and creating a world free from domestic violence.

Sarah xx