MEL THOMAS
In the midst of the worldwide 2020 Pandemic, a chat between WBC Founder, Mel Thomas and her mum about the impact of isolation and social distancing sparked the question.
“If lockdown laws mean no escape and a potential death sentence for vulnerable members of our society, who’s job is it to check in?”
As a survivor of family domestic violence, Mel knows that If it hadn’t been for a concerned work buddy and the safe haven of her mother’s workplace, the story of Mel and her family may not have been told.
Remote work policies for victims are uncharted waters, just like a scuba diver needs a buddy, so do workers.
Mel is unafraid to speak out about inclusion and safeguarding and she’s no stranger to lobbying for victims rights.
The Cosmopolitan Woman of the Year, CEO and Founder of registered NFP, KYUP! Project. has been fighting a to break the cycle of family and domestic violence at grassroots since winning a scholarship in 2013 with the Layne Beachley Foundation
With the principles of self worth and the basics of self defence the 2 x Australian Hapkido Woman of the Year and second degree black-belt martial artist has been delivering fave to face keynotes, workshops and seminars to more than 10,000 Aussies nationally.
Mel is a mum of 2 beautiful girls, a celebrated speaker, Australia Day Ambassador and the driving force behind WORKBUDDYCHECK.
Mel’s Story on SBS
With an alarming number of Australian women experiencing family violence in their lifetimes, survivor and martial arts instructor Mel Thomas is working on a more proactive approach to prevention.
As Thomas explains it, “the KYUP! Project is on a mission to create a nation-wide army of ninjas”, but replacing fear with confidence, empowerment, and breaking the cycle of violence or bullying by speaking out are also at its core.
Watch the video to see Mel Thomas' story and the KYUP! fight club in action.
