DV Safe Phone began in 2020 as a mission for Sunshine Coast local Ashton Wood, and five years later it has turned into a national movement.
Ashton was originally shocked to learn that more than 2 million Australians are impacted by domestic violence – and that abusers often destroy, monitor or confiscate victims’ phones.
He could see a solution and set out on a mission to make help just a call away.
“We started this five years ago when a police officer told me she needed mobile phones to give to victims of domestic violence. And today, five years on, we’ve collected and distributed over 12,000 phones,” he said.
This has been made possible by the donation of more than 33,000 phones and partnering with over 400 domestic violence and law enforcement agencies, safe houses and hospitals nationwide.
“A mobile phone is really important for a victim-survivor because can’t often their main phone is tracked and monitored or taken from them so these phones are given to them to take home and hide,” Ashton said.
On Friday 4 April, key partners and supporters of DV Safe Phone gathered at See Restaurant in Mooloolaba to acknowledge the five year milestone.
By donating a phone to DV Safe Phone, you can turn yesterday’s tech into today’s lifeline for someone in need.
Simply drop off at one of their phone collection partners. To view the list of locations visit dvsafephone.org/donate-phones
