Unitywater is encouraging the community to donate their old phones to local organisation, DV Safe Phone, to help people experiencing domestic and family violence.
DV Safe Phone chief executive officer and founder Ashton Wood said phones donated by Unitywater were passed on to support not-for-profit organisations including SunnyKids Nambour and Centacare Family and Relationship Services.
“One of the first things that gets broken or stolen during domestic violence is the victim’s mobile phone, which leaves them powerless,” Mr Wood said.
“People often wonder what they can do to help and say they don’t have that opportunity to intervene directly. Everyone can do something, if that means getting out your old phone and dropping it off, that will make a difference to people affected by domestic and family violence.”
Unitywater acting executive manager for customer and community Pauline Thomson said we can all help shine a light on the need for accessing life-changing domestic violence support in our community.
“Unitywater’s purpose is keeping communities healthy,” Ms Thomson said.
“There are a lot of ways in which we can do that beyond safe and reliable water and sewerage services.
“We encourage businesses and the community to support this organisation by donating old, but still working, mobile phones at an official phone collection point.”
Unitywater Technology and Digital Solutions team members worked together to donate 36 old Unitywater mobile phones to the Sunshine Coast-based organisation.
“We’re proud of our dedicated team members who made this donation possible. It’s so rewarding to know that by these phones having a second life, they may save someone else’s life,” Ms Thomson said.
DV Safe Phone ensure your old mobile phone has been fully erased and tested before it is distributed to victims of domestic violence who are in desperate need of assistance.
For more information on how you can help DV Safe Phone, including drop-off points, visit dvsafephone.org
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, you should report it to police. In an emergency call Triple Zero (000).
Support and counselling is available from the following agencies:
DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811
DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 636
1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
