It’s a working day, and the weekly RUBY (Rise Up, Be Yourself) session is about to kick off at the Logan PCYC.
Several women have been chatting in a separate room while a tussle of small children chase a basketball around the room.
The female fitness trainer arrives, and Police Liaison Officer (PLO) Codie Smith offers to watch the children while the others file into the boxing area.
The music starts up and six women in boxing gloves alternate between punching bags and bouncing their weight from foot to foot in time with the beat.
The vibe is upbeat, and even though some of these women have only met recently, there’s a palpable sense of connection.
They come from a variety of different backgrounds, but behind the laughs and shy smiles, they are all victim survivors of domestic and family violence (DFV) finding empowerment through the RUBY program.
RUBY is a free physical fitness program developed by PCYC and run in partnership with Queensland Police Service (QPS) for women who are, have been, or are likely to experience DFV.
The program was informed by the work of a QPS officer who had personal experience with DFV and discovered that physical fitness was a way to regain confidence and control over her life.
PLO Smith has been coordinating the RUBY Program at Logan PCYC for the past three years, initially as part of her youth worker role employed by PCYC.
In April this year she successfully applied to become a Police Liaison Officer with the QPS, a role that enables her to continue her involvement with the RUBY program.
She said in theory, RUBY was a physical fitness program, but in practice it was much more than that.
“The template is that women come and do the fitness training, and then leave,” PLO Smith said.
“Here at Logan we sit around and chat for half an hour before the trainer arrives, and then afterwards we have morning tea and more conversation.
“It’s an intimate group – usually only around six or seven participants – and the women feel supported and safe to talk about what’s really going on in their lives. There’s no judgement.”
Men are not involved in the running of the program, but occasionally the PCYC branch manager or another male police officer will be invited to join the group for morning tea to begin building trust in a safe environment.
PLO Smith said the program offered a variety of fitness activities.
“Since our new PCYC building opened at Logan last November, we’ve started alternating boxing sessions with gym sessions.
“The women go at their own pace. They can go really hard or really gently, whatever they feel up to. We’re not here to be body builders.
“The biggest thing for me is consistency, so if they are having a rough day, or feeling unmotivated, or they have a child home from school, it’s important that they still come.
“Often women have to bring their babies along and myself or another PCYC member will look after them while the mum does the training session.
“We also run programs to keep kids occupied during the school holidays so we don’t just stop for weeks at a time.”
One of the women benefitting from this consistency is Syrah Kahn, a 39-year-old mother of three who has struggled in the past with drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness and abusive relationships.
Ms Kahn first came to RUBY with a friend three years ago, but has dropped in and out of the program as she has navigated new twists and turns in her life.
She said it was the gentle but consistent encouragement of PLO Smith that has seen her regain confidence and reconnect with her community.
“I found RUBY through a friend and I didn’t really understand how it was helping until I stopped coming and things got worse,” Ms Kahn said.
“Codie stayed in contact and kept encouraging me to come back any time.
“There was no pressure, and when I did come back to RUBY, no one judged me.”
Although a Domestic Violence Order (DVO) is in place, Ms Kahn said fear and isolation had kept her a virtual prisoner.
“I would be hiding in the house, afraid to go out in case I ran into my ex-partner. He seemed to have connections everywhere in the community and I was afraid even to go shopping,” Ms Kahn said.
“I didn’t understand how boxing could possibly help me, but it’s our way of getting our power back.
“It’s really strange. It’s building our confidence and self-esteem.
“Now I can walk the dog around the neighbourhood and the kids can ride their bikes without fear.
“I’ve come such a long way. I feel like I’m part of a community again.”
Ms Kahn said she was eating better and her physical fitness had improved, which in turn made her more able to be a better mother to her children.
“The training sessions last 40 minutes – and I’m whinging the whole way through – but by the end I feel like I’ve accomplished something.
“I’ve had to get dressed, leave the house, and be around other people. I’ve had to push myself out of my comfort zone.
“It’s also changed my connection with police officers. Both myself and the kids have come to trust police.”
The sense of connection with community has extended further over the years, with RUBY participants from neighbouring PCYCs organising group activities outside of the weekly sessions.
Ms Kahn has challenged herself to join others on a monthly bush walk, and the group recently enjoyed a wellness day incorporating yoga and meditation at Fernvale, and a women’s empowerment day with more strenuous physical challenges.
“We’re pushing ourselves to the limits and facing our fears,” Ms Kahn said.
PLO Smith said it was inspiring to be part of a program that supported women through their darkest days and helped them to reclaim their lives.
“It makes me feel really good to see the women are making these connections and taking on new challenges beyond the program,” PLO Smith said. “The women don’t realise it, but they also encourage me to challenge myself.”
The RUBY Program is available by referral to those who are identified as suitable.
