Claire McFarlane was raped when she was living in Paris as a student. The attacker was caught 10 years later but it took her 16 years and lots of perseverance, guts and money to get some justice, have the rapist put in jail, and leave the legal and civil process behind her. Running on the beach helped Claire to not give up with and to empower herself throughout the process.
Her story hit the news in 2014 and encouraged other survivors to reach out to her and share their own stories of sexual violence, whether through rape, assault or child abuse.
“Sexual violence and rape is a subject that’s difficult both to talk about and to listen to; but it’s a huge, silent epidemic that affects one in four women, and one in six men. Just talking about it wasn’t going to work. I had to find another way…,” Claire realized.
To memorize her 16-year struggle for safety and justice she set off from South Africa on 18 July 2016, with the goal to run 16 kilometers in each coastal country of the world. Every 7-10 days she ran another beach, mostly barefoot, with the vision to peacefully end sexual violence and to inspire others to break the silence. Her 3700K journey would symbolically end in France on July 18, 2020.
She was well on her way to cover the 230 countries until in September 2017, Claire decided that she needed to run in every country and dependent territory of the world, regardless if there is a ‘beach’ or not, because “sexual violence is affecting absolutely every country of the world and generally with the same statistics,” she says. “I have run a handful of landlocked countries and surprisingly there is always some form of beach along a river or a lake.
The reason why is that the Footsteps To Inspire is already making an impact and creating immediate change in some countries. I make myself available to countries to use my story and my time to help create awareness, dialogue and sometimes direct action. This means being flexible and stretching out my stay in a country if needed.
Creating a safe space for conversation and understanding “When I started out, I had a vision…through beach running I could bring people from all walks of life together, to feel safe and to talk freely about sexual violence. This is exactly what is happening, and even more than that. In so many countries of the world it is really hard for people to have a voice and speak out publicly. Through the Footsteps To Inspire movement, people can come together without the fear of being punished because in the end we are running, we are peacefully connecting and we are using movement to create a movement.
In Papua New Guinea, 200 people joined me for the run eager to be part of this collective voice and many asking if it could become an annual event. In Tanzania, villagers traveled over 150km to be at the run, passionate about the cause and committed to making it happen every year. In Nicaragua, the Hilton Hotel paid for a bus so that their staff could join me for the run 200km away.
I had no idea I’d leave such an impact when I started out. It’s these little moments when I get to change a life that keeps me going.
Footsteps To Inspire has become a global peace organization that will live on even after I’ve run in all 230 countries. All donations from the smallest caring contribution of a couple of dollars to the biggest enabling gift will be deeply valued and help make a huge difference!
Photo by Rock Runners
Claire McFarlane
“On 18 July 2016, I set off from South Africa with the goal to run 16 kilometers of beach, rivers and lakes in every country and dependency of the world (that’s 230 countries) with the vision to peacefully end sexual violence. The project is called Footsteps To Inspire. I rarely run alone and have noticed a common trend: people want to talk about sexual violence, they just don’t know how to. Through Footsteps To Inspire, it feels like I’m creating that safe space for conversation and understanding. Why am I doing this?In 1999, I was brutally raped and left for...
On 18 July 2016, Claire McFarlane set off from South Africa with the goal to run 3500 kilometres of beach across 230 countries to promote peace and inspire change for survivors of sexual violence. It’s called Footsteps To Inspire.
I have been able to maintain a budget of US$1,200 per country. You can choose to help me reach:
1 country (US$1,200)
a block of countries (10 countries = US$12,000) or
help me complete all remaining countries
Program per country
Day 1 to 3 are spent talking with local NGOs, services, community groups and survivors to share stories and understand what the issues, complexities, cultural concerns, difficulties and hopes are for survivors in each country.
I also attend speaking engagements and have presented at conferences, foreign embassies, NGOs, police, legal institutions and fundraising events. Time is allocated for interviews with media (radio, television, newspaper).
Day 4 is a travel day to the beach, preparation for the run and finalizing details if others are joining me for the run.
Day 5 is the Footsteps To Inspire run. It is different in each country and I try to make sure it is on a weekend so people can join me.
Day 6 and 7 are for recovery, further discussions and finalizing any last arrangements before moving on to the next country.
Depending on the country, the program can take shape on the ground when people find out I’m there and want to be part of movement. It can get intense and sometimes I have to factor in a few extra days of recovery.
How is this collaboration a good fit?
Footsteps To Inspire offers a meaningful sponsorship and investment opportunity that can make a difference, both socially and economically.
I have listed a few but many more could be customized to showcase your business or brand in line with your specific marketing vision.
Your contribution will make a vital impact to the achievement of Footsteps To Inspire and its goals.
My aim will be to ensure that our partnership is highly successful, seamless and hassle-free.
Your options:
sponsor 1 country (US$1,200)
sponsor a block of countries (US$1,200 per country)
sponsor all remaining countries (US$1,200 per country)
What you can expect:
Exclusivity: Opportunity to be an exclusive sponsor based on the level of contribution.
Visibility and Recognition: Promotion and engagement with a cross-section of clientele in existing and new markets (over 200 countries).
Credibility: Be part of an initiative that has already created widespread appeal locally and internationally.
Media Focus: Strong established media presence in South Africa and internationally.
Marketing and creative strategies: Exclusive written, video and photo content with permission to use across multiple communication channels. Strong digital media content ideas.
Meaningful Value-Add: My input to knowledge share, provide workshops and keynote speak for internal and external purposes. Opportunity for your staf and clients to join the movement and benefit from its message.
Risk Offset: Staggered payments based on successful completion of pre-determined stages to minimise exposure.
Globally relevant: Promote a positive female role model showing people around the world that it is possible to overcome adversity and achieve greatness.
Longevity: possibility to partner for the duration of the initiative and be part of future projects (5 years or more).
Most importantly, assured professionalism and ease of dealing.
At the end of 2018, Claire McFarlane established an NGO called Movement To Inspire: an inclusive, global organization using sport to peacefully end sexual violence. The main project is Footsteps To Inspire and aims to become an annual global run to keep raising support for survivors and create change in every country of the world. “Sexual violence is affecting absolutely every country of the world and generally with the same statistics,” Claire says. Reaching and creating more awareness about child sexual abuse has also become a priority. In the USA alone, 1 in 285 children are diagnosed with cancer before...
Hi, I’m Claire and I’m running over 3500km in 230 countries to peacefully end sexual violence. 53 countries already. Come & Run with me! Claire McFarlane is a South African-Australian Adventurer, Survivor, Advocate and Ambassador for Peace. “On 18 July 2016, I set-off from Bloubergstrand, South Africa with the goal to run 3500 kilometres of beach across 230 countries over five years to raise awareness and support for survivors of sexual violence. It’s called Footsteps To Inspire.I have already travelled alone to 32 countries and run on 33 beaches.Footsteps To Inspire is a world first, both as an expedition and...
