‘I felt like I was a target’: Model Ellie Gonsalves feared being sexually assaulted while living on the streets for SBS documentary Filthy Rich and Homeless
Ellie Gonsalves revealed that she feared she would be sexually assaulted while living on the streets filming SBS documentary Filthy Rich and Homeless.
The 29-year-old model told WHO magazine the experience of sleeping rough for 10 days opened her eyes to the many basic things she takes for granted in everyday life – especially the safety and security of a home.
She pointed out that women living on the streets are particularly at risk.
‘I felt like I was a target’: Model Ellie Gonsalves revealed that she feared she would be sexually assaulted while living on the streets filming SBS documentary Filthy Rich and Homeless
‘Did you know, 90 per cent of women on the street are sexually assaulted? To be a young girl… I just felt like I was a target,’ she said of her experience.
The social media sensation hopes that her journey on the show will clear up the stereotypes surrounding homeless people.
‘There are dangerous people living on the streets. However, most of the people I encountered were the kindest, most generous people I have ever met,’ she said.
Fears: The 29-year-old pointed out that women living on the streets are particularly at risk
At risk: Ellie told WHO magazine on Thursday, ‘Did you know, 90 per cent of women on the street are sexually assaulted? To be a young girl… I just felt like I was a target’
She also hopes her experience will raise awareness of the homelessness crisis in Australia.
‘A lot of people will come for Ellie Gonsalves being eaten alive by cockroaches in her bed, but I think a lot of people will stay for the amazing message this show sends,’ she said.
It comes after Ellie – who was forced to sleep in a park, crisis accommodation and a boarding house on the show – spoke about how she connected with some of the people living on the streets through the trauma of losing someone.
Eye opening: Ellie hopes her experience will raise awareness of homelessness in Australia
She told the Herald Sun: ‘I think the one thing that helped me connect in those situations was my dad committed suicide five years ago.’
‘A lot of people on the show had to deal with the trauma of losing someone close to them. But the difference was, I had a support network, and family,’ she added.
Despite being left heartbroken, Ellie said the experience had given her ‘a newfound gratitude for everything I have in my life’.
Trauma: It comes after Ellie spoke about how she connected with some of the people living on the streets through the trauma of losing her father (right) to suicide five years ago
The upcoming season of Filthy Rich and Homeless will feature five celebrities, including doctor Andrew Rochford, Melbourne Deputy Mayor Arron Wood, broadcaster Ciaran Lyons and restaurateur Pauline Nguyen.
They will each spend 10 nights on the streets of Sydney to gain an insight into what it’s really like not having anywhere to live.
Filthy Rich and Homeless premieres Tuesday at 8:30pm on SBS
Thankful: Despite being left heartbroken by her father’s death, Ellie said the experience had given her ‘a new found gratitude for everything I have in my life’