Brock University and the Government of Canada are holding a funding announcement in Toronto on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women Friday.

The 10 a.m. announcement is in regards to the Government of Canada’s move to support the Shape Your Life boxing program for women and trans survivors of violence.

Launched nearly a decade ago, Shape Your Life is a free recreational boxing program created to improve mental and physical health outcomes for female and trans survivors of family violence. The program has garnered international media attention including features in the New York Times, ESPN and Chatelaine.

Through the Public Health Agency of Canada, funding will support the boxing intervention program that was created by Brock University researcher Cathy van Ingen, boxing coach Savoy Howe and Joanne Green from Opportunity for Advancement.

Since its inception, Shape Your Life has helped more than 1,200 participants.

“We use recreational, non-contact boxing to connect with survivors of violence outside of the typical therapeutic approaches that don’t engage the bodies of women and trans people,” says van Ingen, associate professor in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences’ Department of Kinesiology. “Trauma is held in people’s bodies and healing from violence involves knowing and feeling that you are in charge of your own body.”

The announcement will take place at the Toronto Newsgirls Boxing Club on Carlaw Ave.