Donated mobile phones can provide a literal lifeline for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence.
With October marking Sexual Violence Awareness Month, national charity DV Safe Phone is urging Australians to hand in their unused phones.
DV Safe Phone founder and CEO Ashton Wood said sexual violence was grossly underreported, with just 13 percent of assaults ever reported to police.
“Many survivors remain silent not by choice, but because their phones are taken, broken, or monitored by perpetrators, leaving them without a safe way to call for help,” Mr Wood said.
“A safe phone can be the difference between ongoing silence and a chance to seek protection, respite from harassment, support, and recovery.”
He said DV Safe Phone repurposed donated devices into “Safe Phones” which were untraceable.
Mr Wood said phones were equipped with a charger, SIM (where available) and credit and were distributed free of charge through frontline agencies, police, hospitals and crisis services.
“For a survivor, a phone isn’t just a device – it’s a lifeline. It’s the difference between silence and survival.”
He said in Queensland, children under 15 made up more than a third of reported sexual assault victims, and youth were 58 percent more likely to face tech-facilitated abuse such as harassment, image-based exploitation, or stalking.
“In 2024, sexual assault reports rose by 11 percent, the highest level in 32 years, with Queensland recording nearly 10,000 sexual assaults and leading the nation in victims of crime.”
Mr Wood said Australians could donate used smartphones at one of nearly 1200 DV Safe Phone collection points including 29 Queensland Country Bank branches or by mail.
He said a map of drop box locations was available on the DV Safe Phone website.
“If you don’t have a phone to send or would like to do more, help with a tax-deductible donation to fund the preparation of Safe Phones – just $75 per device covers the secure wiping, repairs, kits and postage.”
