The most dangerous time for domestic violence victims is when trying to escape the abuse.
Escabags was founded by Stacy Jane, and provides ‘escape bags’ equipped with essential items so people don’t have to go back home for supplies. Over the past 5 years, 23,000 bags have been distributed, helping women, children, and men to escape abuse more safely.
People who haven’t experienced domestic violence can find it hard to understand why victims stay trapped in abuse.
Stacy Jane, the founder of Escabags, sheds light on this issue by describing her own experience of a violent relationship, ten years ago in the UK.
“The worse he treated me, the more I needed him to make me feel better. He almost became my poison and my remedy,” she says.
When Stacy and her partner were on holiday in Australia and went on a cruise, she found the courage to leave him.
“On the last night of the cruise, I was very violently attacked by him. I'd made friends with a wonderful Australian family… and they said, ‘You're coming home with us’.”
Stacy accepted their offer, and spent a week sheltering with them in Australia. Later, returning to the UK, she was brutally attacked again, when going home to retrieve essential supplies. That’s why Stacy, now living in Australia, established Escabags – to help others like her.
“I know what it feels like to go back into that family home for things that I needed, and to be attacked,” she says. “I realised there was a gap between someone escaping, and reaching their point of safety.”
“The most lethal time for a victim is [when] trying to escape. I didn't want people putting their life at risk. I wanted them to have free access to [supplies], to help save their life.”
Stacy founded Escabags in February 2020 and has so far distributed 23,000 ‘escape bags’ containing items essential for the first 24 to 72 hours after escape. These include toiletries, laundry powder, concealer makeup, a mini first aid kit, a personal safety alarm, a notebook and pen, and a pre-paid SIM. For parents there are baby items, a soft toy, and colouring supplies.
As part of their awareness and fundraising work, Escabags holds corporate volunteer days, where participants pack escape bags, and write anonymous notes with messages like: “You’ve made the right decision. Keep moving forward. Don't look back’.”
The escape bags are distributed by over 5000 stockists around the country, through hospitals, police stations, schools, cafes, pubs, Service NSW offices, Optus stores, and Endota Spa outlets.
At the corporate volunteer days, Stacy shares some statistics around domestic abuse in Australia:
These are the reasons Stacy keeps working to make a difference.
“Escape bags are more than just a bag of toiletries,” she says. “It's that first step to freedom. Everybody involved, whether they've packed bags, or donated products, is there to support you. Ultimately, that person isn't alone.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or distress, please call 1800 RESPECT, or Lifeline: 13 1114.
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