Innovative programme Targets Trauma Recovery
In Darwin, Northern Territory, Resilience Boxing has evolved into a research partnership with Charles Darwin University (CDU) as of 16th June 2026. This trauma-focused boxing initiative supports women and gender-diverse people who have experienced gendered violence.
Ellen Grey, a Research Active Social Work Lecturer at CDU, founded Resilience Boxing in late 2024. The programme has supported over 360 participants, offering a 12-week clinical recovery course that incorporates trauma-informed boxing, psychoeducation, and regulation strategies.
Building confidence and challenging harmful gender norms are key objectives of the programme, which is vital in the Darwin area where support networks are often overstretched. “These outcomes are particularly important in the Darwin region,” Grey said.
Designing Culturally Responsive Models with Community Partners
The success of the programme has drawn interest from major social service providers in the Northern Territory. Currently, it focuses on co-designing a culturally responsive model with community and industry partners, including Ruby Gaea Darwin Centre Against Sexual Violence and YWCA, to address local needs.
Research through this partnership will contribute to Ms. Grey’s PhD and aims to fill gaps in trauma-informed recovery interventions in the Northern Territory. The next intake for the programme is planned for July and August.
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals that one in four women have experienced violence from an intimate partner since the age of 15. In addition, two in three First Nations people have faced similar violence, underscoring the urgent need for effective recovery strategies.
As Resilience Boxing prepares for its next phase, it will continue offering accessible, volunteer-run sessions priced at $8 to $10 per session, with free spots for those facing financial barriers.
The programme addresses not only physical and mental health but also fosters social connections and empowerment among participants. “The programme challenged the way society conditioned women and young girls to make themselves small in the face of confrontation,” one participant shared.
Last updated: 29 June 2026, 11:50 am
