What’s happening?
National charity DV Safe Phone has officially launched its SAFE PHONE campaign for Sexual Violence Awareness Month this October, calling on Australians to donate their unused mobile phones to become lifelines for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence.
The national launch was held on Monday at Queensland Country Bank headquarters in Aitkenvale, Townsville, with attendees including DV Safe Phone’s Nikki Firmin, Member for Mundingburra and Assistant Minister for Community Safety Janelle Poole APM MP, The Survivor Service’s Samantha Schulte, and Queensland Country Bank leaders Aaron Newman and Rebekah Haynes.
Why it matters
A safe phone can mean the difference between silence and survival. For many survivors, phones are taken, broken, or monitored by perpetrators, leaving them without a safe way to call for help. As Ashton Wood, Founder and CEO of DV Safe Phone, said, “For a survivor, a phone isn’t just a device – it’s a lifeline. It’s the difference between silence and survival.”
By the numbers
-
15,000+ phones have already been repurposed nationwide since 2020, supporting survivors and reducing e-waste.
-
5,000 phones is the October goal – one for every victim-survivor who needs urgent support.
-
29 Queensland Country Bank branches across the state are hosting donation points, from Cairns to Brisbane.
-
2024 saw an 11% rise in sexual assault reports, reaching the highest level in 32 years, with Queensland recording nearly 10,000 assaults.
-
Only 13% of assaults are reported to police, showing how hidden much of this violence remains.
Zoom In
Frontline voices highlighted the urgent need for Safe Phones. Janelle Poole APM MP said, “Townsville has one of the highest calls for service for domestic violence in the state and this is a statistic that our government is committed to reducing. My office has been a DV Safe Phone collection site since I was elected, and this partnership with Queensland Country Bank will create much-needed additional sites to collect this vital resource.”
Samantha Schulte, CEO of The Survivor Service, said the impact of Safe Phones cannot be overstated. “Receiving a DV Safe Phone restores hope, offers relief, and gives victim-survivors the ability to stay connected and make safe choices. For victim-survivors of sexual, domestic, and family violence, 5,000 phones this month means 5,000 more chances for a victim-survivor to receive a vital link to safety and connection.”
Zoom Out
The initiative is not just about safety – it also creates environmental benefits. By repurposing unused devices, DV Safe Phone diverts tonnes of e-waste from landfill. Nationally, more than 500 frontline agencies, police, hospitals, and crisis services distribute these Safe Phones, each equipped with a charger, SIM (where available) and credit.
Queensland Country Bank CEO Aaron Newman said, “By hosting DV Safe Phone donation boxes in our 29 branches, we’re giving our members and staff a simple but powerful way to help survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Every phone donated is a step towards safety and we’re keen to support this in any way that we can.”
Local impact
Townsville’s launch highlights the city’s pressing need for more resources in the fight against domestic and sexual violence. With one of Queensland’s highest domestic violence call rates, local organisations and government leaders are strengthening their commitment by expanding collection sites and mobilising the community to contribute.
What to look for next
DV Safe Phone has set a bold October goal: collect 5,000 phones in one month. Every device donated represents one life supported and one step closer to safety and dignity. As Nikki Firmin from DV Safe Phone said, “Each phone represents one life supported, one chance to call for help, one step closer to safety and dignity.”
Australians can donate unused mobile phones at DV Safe Phone’s nearly 1,200 collection points, including the 29 Queensland Country Bank branches, or via post. For those without a phone to give, a $75 tax-deductible donation helps fund the secure wiping, repairs, and distribution of each Safe Phone.
For more information and drop-off locations, visit www.dvsafephone.org.
