Project host’s emotional on-air moment with guest Erin Molan

A brave guest on Sunday’s Project left the hosts visibly moved, with Sarah Harris offering a touching guesture of support.

Warning: Graphic details

The hosts of The Project were moved by the appearance of radio and television presenter Erin Molan on Sunday night’s show.

As Molan shared details of the horrific domestic violence she had suffered from a man she had dated she began shaking, with Project host Sarah Harris later approaching her for a hug.

The 40-year-old’s appearance on the show came following an interview with the Daily Telegraph last week where she opened up for the first time about the abuse, which including being stomped on in the head.

The single mother, who hosts Sky News and also co-hosts 2day FM breakfast show Hughesy Ed and Erin, shared with Project hosts just how hard the decision was to go public with details of the horror she’d endured.

“No, no,” Molan insisted when Harris asked if she had initially wanted to share her story.

Molan explained that she had decided not to share her story while her father Senator Jim Molan was alive as she was worried she would break his heart.

“I thought about it a while ago, I think there were just stories starting to appear more and more often but when I thought about what that would involve and the people that that would hurt.

“I’m not talking about those directly involved but people like my family or my dad or people who weren't aware in detail what was happening.”

The Project hosts were moved by Erin Molan. Picture: Channel 10

She explained how domestic violence can effect the broader family unit.

“So just like it does when you’re in a violent relationship, it impacts people around you even if you’re doing your best to hide it. You’re generally being pulled away from them or you’re isolating yourself because it’s too hard to keep up this facade that everything’s OK so you hurt your family without meaning to then.

The Project hosts were moved by Erin Molan. Picture: Channel 10

“So then the thought of me detailing some of the pretty harrowing things I've gone through and hurting my family again played really heavily on my mind, particularly my dad.”

When describing one particular incident where a policeman called her parents to inform them of what had happened and her father came to her house and begged her to return home, Molan began shaking.

“Gosh I’m shaking and I host TV for a living so this is a very different position to be in,” she said.

Upon declining her father’s offer to leave with her, she said: “I’ll always remember looking through the little camera and seeing his face there are seeing so much pain and hurt and still I wouldn't go. So I feel very guilty actually for a lot of the hurt. I didn’t do anything but I feel guilty," a brave Molan recalled, her voice wavering with emotion.

Erin Molan said she didn’t want to break her father Jim Molan’s heart by telling him about the domestic violence she had endured. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Molan encouraged others to speak up if they suspect someone is experiencing domestic violence.

“I went to the football last night for the first time and a woman turned around and said: ‘I saw you in the emergency department and I knew and I said to my husband at the time I knew but I didn’t know how to say something’ and she said then ‘when I saw the story I went I knew’.

“It got me thinking because I’ve received so many messages from people who've known me for two decades saying ‘I suspected, I thought, I didn’t know how to say anything’. I look back and I think it’s such a hard conversation to have with someone and if you bring it up and it’s not happening it can be very awkward.

“But my god if someone had maybe just pulled me aside at some point and just asked me even if it was hard, it may have ended before it became years … it's a hard thing to do I get that.”

Molan recommends reaching out in a kind and gentle way if you suspect domestic violence.

She recalled of the time: “It was awful you know, you’re just living in fear all the time.”

The Project hosts listening to Erin Molan speak. Picture: Channel 10

She said even the smartest of people can fall into an “awful trap” in their relationship.

“I was so deeply embedded in it and because I didn't like myself enough, or I didn’t have enough confidence and they play a big part in that – you get told constantly that no one else would ever find you attractive, these are all your flaws, you’re this you’re that, so you reach this stage where you’re so battered and beaten down and you're isolated from your family because you can’t see them because they might figure out something is going on.

“And you feel helpless, you don’t feel like you are capable of getting help or worth getting help then you start to think maybe this is me, maybe I’m the problem because they said they would never do it with anyone else.”

Molan said has had a few trips to hospital due to the domestic violence, however she feels lucky to be alive.

“I don’t doubt for a second that had I stayed in that relationship I’d be alive today, I wouldn't be. There is no doubt in my mind. I came close on many occasions. That's a hard thing to deal with but I never did until now.”

Harris went over to hug Molan. Picture: Channel 10

However, she says life is very different now.

“Life is amazing, I’m so blessed. I’m a 40-year-old single mother with a daughter but I'm so happy, I’m in such a beautiful spot … It’s made me who I am today.”

An awe-struck Project host Sarah Harris praised Molan for her courage in telling her story.

“Erin Molan you are such a gutsy woman and your little girl would be so so proud of you and there are so many women out there who are thankful that you’re speaking out and you’ve spoken up on behalf of them.”

Molan responded: “I actually did say that when I meet her first boyfriend I want to worry about him breaking her heart not her bones, and that’s one of my driving forces, it’s so common.”

To which Harris announced: “There's a hug coming your way in just a second.”

Harris then read out the 1800 RESPECT phone line for those needing support, and then confirmed with Molan: “Hug's coming now” as she made her way over to the Sky News host, who said “bless, thank you so much”.

Originally published as Project host’s emotional on-air moment with guest Erin Molan