Support women & families with a Safe Ride Out with WESNET
Written byAs Australia grapples with an ongoing domestic violence crisis, where more than one woman is killed every week*, new data from WESNET – the national peak body for specialist women’s domestic and family violence services – shows an increase in demand for its services.
Uber has partnered with WESNET since 2018, and launched the Uber Driving Change Program in 2019 to offer free rides to WESNET members, aimed at helping women and families impacted by domestic violence – facilitating access to the support they need – whether it’s to a shelter, a police station, or a lawyer’s office.
While the festive season is a time of celebration for many, it is also a time that sees a sharp rise in domestic and family violence. In the lead up to this period**, demand for the free rides through Uber’s Driving Change Program jumped by 45% between 2021 and 2023 and is projected to climb further, with a 63% year-on-year increase from October 2023 to October 2024 alone.
The need for intervention and support has never been more critical – since it began, the number of rides taken through the program has increased by a shocking 186%***.
In response to this growing issue, today Uber and WESNET have launched the Safe Ride Out campaign. The campaign is supported by HIT network breakfast host and ex Home and Away star Christie Hayes, who has spoken about her own personal experience of domestic violence.
Along with Uber, Hayes is calling on Australians to donate to the Safe Ride Out campaign to help fund additional rides for those in need, throughout the festive season and beyond.
Christie Hayes said: “As someone who has experienced domestic violence, I know only too well how crucial it is to be able to access support when you need it most. The work of WESNET in supporting women, along with its partnership with Uber to provide free rides and deliveries for the huge number of women and children who need them, is something I wish I’d had access to.
While many of us will enjoy a happy and peaceful festive season, thousands of others will not. As you plan your gifts, please take a moment to think about the thousands of women and children who need a Safe Ride Out. Your contribution can make a real difference to help them celebrate the season safely.”
The Safe Ride Out campaign aims to highlight the immediate need for assistance for thousands of families who are victims of domestic and family violence across Australia and builds on Uber’s six year partnership with WESNET and its $660,000 commitment over that period, to provide free rides, food and grocery deliveries, as well as support WESNET in other initiatives that raises awareness for domestic violence.
Karen Bentley, CEO of WESNET, said: “We know from experience domestic violence spikes over the festive period. For many families, it’s a time of joy and togetherness, but many others are in need and rely on us to provide them with help and a safe ride out when they need one.
Free rides through Uber’s Driving Change Program has been critical in enabling us to increase the support we’re able to provide victims, no matter where they are in Australia. But with demand increasing, our network is going to feel the strain. We’re asking Australians not to let these horrific statistics pass them by and instead make a donation to WESNET today to help the next survivor that needs to leave violence get a safe ride out.”
Nicole Ashcroft, Head of Safety at Uber ANZ said: “Uber has been a partner to WESNET for six years as part of our ongoing commitment to safety – especially for vulnerable communities. We’re proud to have facilitated over 7,400 free rides in partnership with WESNET for women and children affected by domestic violence to date, and are committed to supporting WESNET – building on the important frontline work they do to create a future free of domestic and family violence and its consequences. We’re calling on Australians to help provide even more rides as we enter the festive season.”
WESNET is an organisation that represents a network of shelters, women’s refuges, safe houses and referral services across Australia. Uber is committed to using technology to help address the issues of gender-based violence and has facilitated over 7,400 free rides and donated over $660,000 to WESNET over six years.
In 2023, Uber deepened the relationship to include Uber Eats as part of its Driving Change Program with WESNET, and launched a campaign where Uber Eats donated one period product for every period product sold via the Uber Eats app that year. This donation provided essential menstrual products—tampons, pads, and liners—at no cost to women in need across Share the Dignity’s network, including WESNET. As a result, a total of 71,000 period products were donated by Uber and Uber Eats users during the campaign.
WESNET also supports Uber as an integral part of Uber’s Women’s Safety Forum – a group comprised of thought-leaders, local academics and experts, providing ongoing thought leadership and insight on this important issue. WESNET also provides input on training modules for both driver-partners and riders to raise awareness and prevent gender-based violence and was a key partner of Uber’s Move What Matters campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To donate to the Safe Ride Out campaign from 4 – 31 December visit www.wesnet.org.au/donate
If you are in immediate danger call 000 for police and ambulance help. 1800Respect (1800 737 732) is the 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault. You can also access Wesnet’s resources for survivors here.