Ex-Home and Away star fights for free rides for DV victims

Radio and soap star Christie Hayes, who is a domestic violence survivor, said using her platform to advocate for the Safe Ride Out program is not just important – it’s a responsibility.

Demand for a service that provides free rides for domestic violence victims has surged by 63 per cent over the past year.

The Safe Ride Out program, provides women and families with free Uber rides to court hearings, contact visits and important events or meetings that abusive partners may actively try to prevent from happening.

Radio and soap star Christie Hayes, who has spoken up about her own experiences with domestic violence, said using her platform to advocate for the Safe Ride Out program is not just important – it’s a responsibility.

“My experience with domestic violence is one that is unfortunately very normal. It’s one that shouldn’t be hidden and it’s one I think is important for me to talk about,” she said.

One particularly violent interaction, which took place in public, left her feeling hopeless.

Christie Hayes, who has spoken up about her own experiences with domestic violence, said using her platform to advocate for the Safe Rides program is not just important – it’s a responsibility. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“I went into the bathroom and I cleaned myself up and did what unfortunately a lot of women feel they have to do, which is pretend that it didn’t happen and bury it under the carpet,” Hayes said.

Her experience is not isolated. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data indicates that “at the hands of a current or previous cohabiting partner,” one in six Australian women will experience physical violence and economic abuse, one in five will experience sexual violence and one in four will experience emotional abuse.

The former Neighbours and Home and Away star said programs like Safe Ride Out can go a long way towards placing victims in a safe environment by extracting them from unsafe situations.

“It’s not just leaving the house, but going to a lawyer’s office if you don’t want your partner to follow you … or if you don’t have a car now because you have a partner that’s taken away your registration or your car keys,” she said.

Ms Hayes said fostering an environment in which young men are taught to respect the boundaries, experiences and inherent difficulties faced by women is part of the solution.

“As a mum of boys, my focus is now to make sure that my boys grow up in a world where they are always a safe space and an ally to women,” she said.

“We need men to really advocate for women now in the greatest capacity possible … to show up for women even where it’s uncomfortable.”

Safe Rides can be booked by members of WESNET, Australia’s peak body for specialist women’s domestic and family violence services.

The organisation represents a range of women’s shelters and service providers across the country.

1800 RESPECT

Call: 1800 737 732

Text: 0458 737 732

Originally published as Ex-Home and Away star fights for free rides for DV victims