Hobart’s Hit100.9 host Christie Hayes bravely shares her experience with domestic violence

On the Hit Network’s Dan & Christie, Christie Hayes has bravely opened up about her experience dealing with domestic violence.

The former Home and Away star felt compelled to speak out following disturbing footage involving American rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.

“I haven’t ever spoken about it on-air; I’ve really (never) told anybody about it apart from my mum,” she said.

“I was 15. I was on TV. Wherever I went I would have people stare at me and whisper, ‘Oh, that’s Kirsty from Home and Away!’”

“I remember being at the airport with a boyfriend and he had gone through my bag, he’d gone through my stuff, and I had written a Christmas card to a co-star of mine – a guy who was on the show with me. I had said, ‘Hey, I love you. Merry Christmas. Have a great break.’ Like I would (talk with) you, Dan. He read the card, I hadn’t even gotten a word out of my mouth (before) he turned around and (hit me).”

“He hit me in the face so hard that I had almost a tooth missing, I was bleeding all down my mouth, and I remember shaking with embarrassment going, ‘Oh my God, what if someone saw that?’ I ran to the bathroom, and I started to cry.”

“I was 15 when this happened. I was young, I was a little girl. I look back on that little girl and I just think, ‘I just want to protect her.’”

Christie shared her story in the hope that if someone is going through a similar situation, they don’t feel they are alone, and can call 1800RESPECT for help to leave an abusive relationship.