LOVE BiTES – Run Against Violence Grants Program
Empowering communities, one conversation at a time
Thanks to the incredible support of the Run Against Violence (RAV) Virtual Challenge community, we’re proud to unveil the recipients of the 2025 Love Bites Grant Program—spanning 50 local government areas across Australia, and delivering life-changing education on respectful relationships to young people in every corner of the country.
This powerful initiative, by Run Against Violence (RAV), continues to grow each year, thanks to the collective action of everyday Australians walking, running, and fundraising to end family and domestic violence.
The power of community: over $500,00 raised
Since the RAV Virtual Challenge began, participants like you have raised over $500,000, with $100,000 raised in 2024 alone now being directly invested into Love Bites Facilitator Training.
The Love Bites Program gives educators, youth workers, and community leaders the tools they need to deliver respectful relationships and consent education to young people. It’s about creating safe spaces for tough conversations—and building stronger, safer communities.
The 2025 focus: Expansion and Access
This year’s grants are doing more than ever before:
50 local government areas will benefit from fully funded training
60% of recipients are in regional and remote communities
Two streams of training offered:
• Junior (Years 7–9): 1-day course
• Senior (Years 10–12): 2-day courseFive key group training hubs will receive direct RAV-organised sessions:
🌟 Darwin
🌟 Derby
🌟 Cairns
🌟 Sunshine Coast
🌟 Benalla
The below map identifies the Local Government Areas where RAV Grant recipients have stated they will deliver Love Bites, representing 53 communities across Australia.
Voices from the field: The impact is real
Here’s what some of our past grant recipients had to say:
“Women Up North Housing and Bundjalung Country Love Bites Committee were proud recipients of a 2024 RAV Grant. This grant allowed us to host a free, two-day Love Bites Senior Facilitator Training at the Koori Mail in Lismore. We worked closely with NAPCAN to deliver training to 22 participants—including Aboriginal Health Workers, Youth Workers, Health Promotion Workers, and Specialist DFV Case Workers. Receiving this grant has helped us continue delivering Love Bites to young people in our regional, flood-affected community.” – Keani Bryant, Specialist Domestic Violence Case Worker, Women Up North, Lismore NSW
“We had the benefit of Love Bites training in November last year. We connected with other high schools and community supports including School-Based Youth Health Nurses across our region. This training has strengthened relationships across our community, allowing us to deliver Love Bites as a major part of our Senior Respectful Relationships Education.” – Robert Curtin, Deputy Principal, North Mackay High School, QLD
These aren’t just programs—they’re pathways to resilience, safety, and connection for thousands of young Australians.
Where the grants are going
Here’s a quick snapshot of some of the locations included in this year’s grant program:
NSW
Lachlan, Bland, Cobar, Wentworth, Shoalhaven, Kempsey, Eurobodalla & more
QLD
Cairns, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Mossman, Cape York, Bundaberg, Weipa & more
WA
Derby, Mandurah, Augusta-Margaret River, Busselton, Bunbury, Exmouth, Donnybrook & more
NT
Darwin, Tiwi Islands, East Arnhem, Katherine, Palmerston, MacDonnell & more
VIC
Benalla, Mansfield, Campaspe, Ovens-Murray region
TAS & Norfolk Island
Launceston, Norfolk Island Council
👉 You can explore the full list and all the grant locations in our interactive map above.
Your steps make this possible
Every kilometre covered during the RAV Virtual Challenge makes a real-world impact.
Your fundraising fuels the change. Your community spirit keeps the momentum going. And your belief in building a safer future is exactly what this movement is all about.
If you’re a past participant—thank you.
If you’re thinking about joining us—this is your sign.
Together, we are walking and running toward a country where respect, safety, and connection are the norm.
