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Domestic violence suppot in free ‘Escape Bags'
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Living with an abusive and controlling partner is sadly an experience Stacey Jane knows all too well.
The founder and CEO of charity Escabags finally fled her violent partner for the last time in 2019 and moved from the UK to Australia.
'When I fled domestic abuse in England, I had no family here in Australia, yet complete strangers stepped in with kindness, giving me safety, dignity, and the chance to start again,' Ms Jane said.
'That support didn't just rebuild my life – it inspired me to create Escabags so others could have that same chance.'
Stacey Jane founded Escabags to help adults and children fleeing domestic violence. Picture: Sam Ruttyn.
The charity's mission is to relieve the initial trauma of domestic abuse by providing free and easy access to Escape Bags for adults or adults and children containing a range of necessities such as toiletries, tampons, baby essentials and information to help victims make the next steps to safety. The bags themselves are sewn by volunteers.
Sadly the need for support is even greater in regional areas than metropolitan areas, with women living outside major cities one and a half times more likely to have experienced partner violence than women living in major cities, according to Australian government statistics from 2024.
Ms Jane said rural and remote areas often have the least access to support services.
'In these regions, there may be limited public transport, fewer crisis accommodation options, and longer travel times to reach help,' she said.
'By making Escape Bags available in these communities, we aim to bridge some of that gap, offering a discreet, immediate source of essentials for someone leaving an unsafe situation, preventing them from re-entering the family home or those essential items at the most lethal time.'
Escabags are discreet, hand sewn by volunteers and contain some of the essentials to help those fleeing a violent home. Picture: Supplied.
The bags are stocked throughout police station and various retailers including some Optus stores.
Optus has also provided SIM cards in each bag to help victims to communicate freely without being tracked by their abuser.
'From my experience, my phone was both my safety line and my greatest risk,' Jane said.' It had software installed that tracked my every move, monitored my conversations, and left me feeling completely exposed.
'I understood just how critical it was to change my number quickly and safely, and to have a way to connect with loved ones without being watched.
Jane said people experiencing domestic and family violence in rural and regional areas can often be more vulnerable than those in cities, largely because of isolation and limited resources.
In smaller communities support services such as crisis centres, counsellors, or safe accommodation can be hours away and public transport options can be scarce or non-existent. 'There can also be added challenges around privacy,' she said.
Stacy Jane has teamed with Optus to provide free SIM cards in all of her Escabags for those escaping a violent home. Picture: Supplied
'In a close-knit town, it's harder to reach out for help without others noticing, which can deter someone from seeking support. Police or emergency responders may take longer to arrive, and access to phones, internet, or even a private vehicle can be limited.'
She said discreet bags are a practical and tangible solution for people everywhere but especially in rural communities.
'The best thing about running Escabags is knowing that, somewhere, someone is receiving the same lifeline that once saved me,' she said.
'What keeps me going is hearing the stories from survivors who've used a bag to take their first step to freedom. Every time I'm reminded that our work has helped someone feel less alone, I think of those strangers who helped me – and I know I have to keep paying that kindness forward.
Escape Bags are widely available throughout Australia, at many police stations, hospitals. schools, banks and other privately owned businesses such as Optus stores but, Jane said, the easiest way for a victim-survivor to find their nearest stockist is by entering their suburb or postcode into the interactive map on the website:
