Amy* didn’t wash her own hair for two and a half years.
“If I had gotten into the shower without telling him or tried to wash my own hair, he would break through the ensuite locked door and rip the shower screens off,” she said.
Amy’s story is just one of thousands from women and girls facing domestic violence, homelessness or poverty nationwide.
Their experiences are the reason Share the Dignity managing director Rochelle Courtenay founded her charity, which is marking the 10th anniversary of its It’s in the Bag Christmas appeal.
Every November, Share the Dignity calls on Australians to donate a bag filled with essentials items, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant and period products.
This year, the charity aims to collect at least 85,000 bags, with charity partners reporting a significant rise in demand for period products.
“Together over the last 10 years we have helped ensure almost one million women and girls who are waking up on Christmas morning in domestic violence refuges and homeless shelters have the dignity they deserve,” Ms Courtenay said.
“For many, an It’s in the Bag was the only gift they received, and it gave them hope to keep going.”
Amy received an It’s in the Bag donation for her and her daughter after they fled their family home.
“That bag was a very big turning point in my life; we had not come out of a good situation when we received our bags,” she said.
“The bag restores your faith in humanity that not all people are like this. I had a lot of difficulty having showers and there was shampoo and body wash that I hadn’t bought because I was so scared.
“The bag restores your dignity and self-worth.”
Bunnings Shepparton complex manager Lee Polkinghorne said his store was proud to support the It’s in the Bag appeal again this year.
“Last year we received 178 vital donations from our generous community, so we’re looking forward to seeing how our customers contribute to support the cause again this year,” he said.
This year, the store also has barcode tokens at the registers that shoppers can purchase to donate $5 to the campaign.
“Not everyone can afford to go and buy a bag full of toiletries, so this is another way people can support the cause,” Bunnings Shepparton activities co-ordinator Sarah Batho said.
“You can also sponsor a bag; it’s $49 to buy an actual bag through the Bunnings website for anyone who doesn’t have the time to put one together.
The Shepparton store is confident locals will again answer the call.
“That’s the great thing about the Goulburn Valley, everyone jumps up and lends a hand when people need it,” Ms Batho said.
“It’s always great to see the community supporting the community.”
Share the Dignity has collected and distributed more than five million packets of period products and 915,000 It’s in the Bag donations to those in need with the help of volunteers nationwide in the past decade.
Anyone wanting to support women and girls like Amy and her daughter can drop off filled bags to their nearest Bunnings store from November 15 to December 1, sponsor a bag online, or register to become a Share the Dignity volunteer.
The donations will be distributed to Australians in need in time for Christmas via Share the Dignity’s 3000 charity partners.
*Amy’s name has been changed to protect her identity for this article.