Larissa Shaw has an empathy for women and child victims of Domestic and Family Violence. She believes physical exercise can help heal wounds and change lives and has made a personal commitment to help other women and children to recover, rebuild and reinvent themselves. Larissa is a mother of two, fitness coach, previous Police Officer and the Founder of the STAAR and YOUNGSTAAR Programs and the President of the non-profit organisation Standing Tall Against Abusive Relationships (STAAR) INC. Larissa has dedicated her time in a volunteer capacity with these programs since 2012, which aim to build emotional resilience, self-esteem, self-confidence whilst educating and empowering those impacted.

Larissa is a survivor of domestic violence. From the age of 18 Larissa endured domestic violence over a 6 year period suffering emotional, mental and physical abuse from her former partners. She experienced the blame, denials, the apologies and the promises that it would never happen again. Without realising, Larissa had become caught up in the vicious cycle of domestic violence. Over the years, she experienced just about every form of domestic abuse and violence possible. Larissa’s dream of becoming a mother was very nearly shattered by a former partner. She is now a mother to two beautiful boys.

In 2001, Larissa somehow found the strength to stand tall to attempt to break free of the cycle. She joined the local gym and took up boxing classes, aerobics and weight training. She followed a physical fitness regime which allowed her to build her physical, emotional and mental strength. During this time, she educated herself, she recognised the signs of domestic violence and took steps to prevent being drawn back into the same type of relationship. Movement became her medicine and saviour.

During her 10 years as a police officer, Larissa attended countless domestic violence incidents, even specialising in domestic violence within the service. From her own experience along with her exposure through being a police officer, it became apparent to Larissa that women and children needed extra support. In 2011, she developed the STAAR (Standing Tall Against Abusive Relationships) Program. The program officially commenced in May 2012, with the introduction of the YOUNGSTAAR program in 2014.

STAAR (Standing Tall Against Abusive Relationships) is the first program of its kind in Australia, specifically designed to empower individuals who have been, or currently are affected by Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) or an abusive relationship. Their programs aim to build physical strength, emotional resilience and improve the self-esteem, self-confidence and general well-being of its participants through the use of physical fitness, sport and supportive networks.

There are a number of services available to women victims of domestic and family violence within the community. These services often offer psychological, emotional and counselling services, allowing women and children to voice their emotions with a trained counsellor. While this is an important part of the healing process, the physical aspect is often overlooked as part of the recovery process. STAAR and YOUNGSTAAR provides individuals with another tool for dealing with their emotions, through physical exercise, sport and support networks. Studies on the psychological effects have found that regular exercise and physical activity can improve mood and in turn reduce depression and anxiety, thereby allowing individuals to better manage stress and improve their coping abilities. 

STAAR and YOUNGSTAAR are unique programs and unlike any other offered in the domestic violence domain, which links those suffering domestic and family violence with outside organisations who work together to rebuild on self- confidence, self-esteem and to help build a positive, healthy outlook on life. Together, STAAR and YOUNGSTAAR are building stronger relationships and stronger communities.

RECLAIM. REBUILD. REINVENT