Voices to be Heard: An Arts, Health and Justice Perspective on Healing and Recovery from Child Sexual Abuse.

This single comprehensive toolkit combines interdisciplinary research perspectives from a University of Melbourne criminologist and a dance therapist, alongside the voice of lived/living experience. The toolkit explores how the Left Write Hook documentary feature film brings to life the research and themes central to criminology and creative arts therapies, while ensuring the discussion of child sexua abuse and trauma is framed through lived/living experience by one of the film's participants. Available online, the toolkit allows audiences to engage with these critical insights at their own pace, extending the conversation beyond in-person Q&A events and amplifying the project’s overall impact.

The Left Write Hook documentary is a film that chronicles the journey of participants in the Left Write Hook program, an innovative initiative that combines boxing and creative writing to support survivors of childhood sexual abuse and trauma. The program, co-founded by Dr Donna Lyon, offers a trauma-informed approach to healing, empowering survivors through physical and creative expression.

The documentary not only captures the transformative experiences of those involved in the program but also highlights the intersection of trauma recovery, mental health, and resilience. It delves into how the participants use writing and boxing as tools to reclaim their narratives, process their emotions, and build strength—both physically and mentally. The documentary serves as an important part of the Left Write Hook project’s social impact campaign, designed to raise awareness, foster dialogue, and offer resources for survivors and advocates.

The accompanying toolkit brings together research from fields such as criminology, creative arts therapies, and lived experience, and it aims to spark broader discussions on trauma, recovery, and the power of creative practices in overcoming adversity.