Kirsten Moiler says she’s finally excited to live her life again, more than two years on from being set on fire by her husband.
Speaking exclusively to 9News, the mother of three recounted the years of abuse she suffered, hoping others can leave before it’s too late.
Moiler, from Perth, wears her story on her skin.
“I felt like I couldn’t leave him,” she said.
“It comes down to self-esteem and what you believe you are worth and when you’re so conditioned and so broken down over so many years.”
Moiler finally worked up the courage to apply for a violence restraining order (VRO) against her husband on June 2, 2023.
Just hours later, she was being rushed to hospital for emergency surgery for burns to 38 per cent of her body.
“I will forever regret going back there, but I wanted him to believe we were going to be friends and even co-parent,” she said.
She’d driven to their family home to invite her estranged husband to do burnouts.
She arrived at the driveway of the Honey Street home when her husband doused her in accelerant and set her on fire.
“It did literally feel like I had a thousand needles ripping my skin off,” she said.
“The heat and the pain was something I’ve never ever felt before, ever in my entire life.”
She was put into an induced coma for nearly a month, needed multiple surgeries and even learned how to walk again.
The 35-year-old is still recovering.
But with the trial over, she’s now ready to embrace the future with loved ones.
“I’m so excited than I’ve ever been in my life to actually live my life,” she said.
While Moiler works to move on, her husband will remain behind bars.
He’s due to be sentenced and is facing up to 20 years behind bars for his crime.
Moiler is hoping her story will encourage others to speak up and leave.
“You shouldn’t endure this, and you must leave; ultimately, it’s your life, and it’s not worth sacrificing for theirs,” she remarked.
