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Blue Knot Day 2017, held on Monday 16 October, saw a range of community, faith-based and workplace events organised across the country in support of adult survivors of childhood trauma. This year's theme of "Unite in Support of Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma" highlighted the strength that can be found in unity, and that healing and recovery from childhood trauma cannot occur in isolation, but through mutual support and sharing. This year we asked all Australians to unite in support of the 5 million Australian adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse.

Our thanks to Blue Knot Day partners, Shine Lawyers, for supporting Blue Knot Day events across Australia, the  #unitebkd2017 social media campaign, and the Blue Knot Day Photography Competition.

Here are some of our favourite highlights from Blue Knot Day, 2017.

In the community

CQ Services Supporting Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (CQSSASCA), a local stakeholders group, came together at Cameron’s Corner in Rockhampton, to engage the community and raise awareness. Community participants contributed their artistic skills and encouraging words to decorate thongs that were then put together for a display in the local library (pictured).  “It was a privilege to witness our diverse community coming together to support adult survivors – co-created art is such an inspiring way to show our unity on the path forward”, said Aaron Kenney, one of the event organisers. CQ’s Blue Knot Day event was held on Monday 16 October and included a barbeque, with information and resources available to help build awareness and connect people to support.

We are also delighted to congratulate Yvonne Tuohy (pictured), who kicked off Blue Knot Day in the Medibank Marathon Melbourne Festival on Sunday 15^th October 2017, and who has raised a staggering $4,500 for Blue Knot Foundation! “I was thrilled to run in the Medibank Marathon for Blue Knot Foundation”, said Yvonne. “As a survivor it was so important for me to help other survivors and to raise awareness that support is out there and we are not in this alone”.

Faith Based Events

People of all faiths came together to show their support for adult survivors of childhood trauma during October. Faith based events this year included local community services and fundraisers, an inter-faith service held at Pitt Street Uniting Church, Sydney (pictured) with representatives from Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and Christian faiths, and an evening service at St Mary's Catholic Church in Greensborough, Victoria, which featured guest speaker, Francis Sullivan, CEO of Truth, Justice and Healing Council.

Faith based groups across Australia united alongside survivors, friends, families and communities on Blue Knot Day, with St John the Baptist Cathedral at Murray Bridge, SA (pictured) showing their support through illuminating the Cathedral blue over Blue Knot week!

Don’t Tell Movie Screenings

Blue Knot Day also featured two private screenings of the highly acclaimed Australian movie, ‘Don’t Tell’, depicting a true story of “a young woman who fought back after enduring sexual abuse at a prestigious private school”.

Based on true events that changed Australian child protection laws, ‘Don’t Tell’ was screened at the Australian Psychological Society Sydney Branch, organised by Blue Knot Foundation Director and Company Secretary, Terry Kirkpatrick, and by Folonomo Restaurant in Sydney (pictured), organised by Blue Knot Day supporter, Belinda Bentley.

Folonomo, Sydney’s first ‘profit for purpose’ restaurant, is an enterprise of The Pure Foundation, a charitable trust which donates 100% of profits to a range of not for profit causes. “It was a natural fit for me to screen the movie at Folonomo”, said Belinda. “The event attracted a range of guests from the corporate and giving communities and I was delighted with the interest shown in the Blue Knot Foundation and to be able to help connect networks together to support adult survivors of childhood trauma”. 

Earlier in the month we also saw the screening of ‘Don’t Tell’ at the Australian Psychological Society Sydney branch. Event organiser Terry Kirkpatrick said, “The event was completely sold out and it was so encouraging to see such support from the society, with the evening attracting a diverse cross section of APS Sydney members. The movie sparked discussions and the question and answer session provided a platform to highlight the need for dedicated support services for adult survivors of childhood trauma”.

Uniting in the workplace

Many organisations helped raise awareness this year by promoting Blue Knot Day through their own networks, newsletters, social media and workplace events. Workplace morning and afternoon teas, lunches and fundraising events are a vital component of Blue Knot Day, helping to raise awareness of the impacts of childhood trauma and to communicate the message that help is available.

One such organisation was West Gippsland Healthcare Group, who held a Blue Knot Day morning tea, organised by Margaret Locarnini, Occupational Therapist. “I came to understand that so many of our Clients have complex trauma issues that impact on their physical and mental health”, said Margaret. “And that it is important for us to understand this when we are delivering our program”. Margaret’s famous Blueberry Treats (pictured) made a splash at the organisation’s morning tea, helping to raise over $130 (greatly exceeding the initial $30 fundraising target!).

As proud Event Partners of Blue Knot Day 2017, Shine Lawyers’ branches also united to raise support for Blue Knot Day. Team members (pictured) were delighted to get involved by turning their weekly morning tea blue, sharing blue-themed treats and coming together to reflect on the important message of the day.

Our thanks to all our community partners who held Blue Knot Day events in the workplace this year, and continue to work with us to support adult survivors of childhood trauma.

 We would like to thank everyone who participated in any way, big or small, to the success of Blue Knot Day in 2017, and look forward to partnering with you again for Blue Knot Day 2018 (Monday 29 October).