Escabags for family violence victims

AFTER a customer, who was in hiding as a result of being a victim of domestic violence went into the Cowes Community Bank, Leonie Brown decided to help.  

“She had nothing, and a young child,” explained Leonie.

Leonie had seen some advertising about the Escape Bags and ordered four for each of the Bass Coast branches – San Remo, Cowes and Grantville.

Escabags provide essential items for women and their children who are fleeing their home to escape violent and abusive partners and dangerous situations. 

The ‘Escape Bags’ provide two variations, a ‘Parent and Child’ and a ‘Single Adult’ pack and are non-gender specific.

A range of toiletries, sanitary items, tea, notepad and pen, and useful information is provided while children’s bags are also supplied with nappies, muslin clothes and teddy bears. 

Leonie explained that women who are escaping family violence will often need to approach the bank to change their address or order new cards or change their bank account, and this provides a good chance for staff to offer an Escabag.  

Since having the bags in stock and doing a little advertising, the Grantville branch has given out all of their packs, proving them to be a useful and needed item. 

“It's obviously a great cause and being a part of the community, we want to help out, whoever we can, wherever we can,” said Leah Atherton from the Grantville branch. 

“The situation that people come in for (to get the bags) is hard, so it's nice that they can come in, no questions asked. We're just here to help support whoever we can.” 

According to recent data released by Gippsland Women’s Health (GWH), in real terms, 800 women across Bass Coast and 600 women across South Gippsland are victims of family violence. 

Of 79 Victorian Local Government Areas (LGAs) Bass Coast ranked 16th for reports of family violence and South Gippsland ranked 25th, according to Vic Crime reporting rates for 2022. 

A victim spoke about her experiences with family violence, as detailed in GWHs recent report. 

“You learn to know when to shut up – if you haven’t had any experience with family violence you don’t always appreciate what a dangerous situation it is and can be.” 

Leonie explained that any organisation can be involved in supplying the Escabags, and it doesn’t cost anything for the business.  

“You get a poster that you put in the window, so people are aware that you do have the bags. There's some information in there too, around some helpful phone numbers that you can call and organisations that can be of assistance as well.”

To find the nearest Escabag stockist, go to: escabags.org/escabags-stockists or call  1800 015 188 for 24/7  confidential crisis support, information and accommodation or email: safesteps@safesteps.org.au.