A service helping domestic violence victims stay connected to support has significantly expanded its capacity to turn donated mobiles into safe phones.
DV Safe Phone has opened a new national headquarters in Kawana, allowing it to process up to four times its current volume.
The group has provided almost 23,000 phones – through a network of more than 680 frontline agencies, including domestic and family violence services, police, hospitals and safe houses – during the past six years.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, released in March, showed the number of people proceeded against, for family and domestic violence related offences, increased by 8 per cent in 2024-25, to 98,000 people. It was the largest increase since national reporting started in 2019-20.
DV Safe Phone founder and CEO Ashton Wood said the figures reinforced the importance of practical support for victim-survivors, including access to a phone of their own when perpetrators use technology to threaten, monitor and isolate them.
“For most of us, a mobile phone is something we take for granted,” he said.
“For someone experiencing domestic violence, access to a phone they can use to seek help is critical.
“When a perpetrator controls access to communication, they can also cut someone off from family, friends and support services.
“A safe phone is an important part of a person’s safety plan, helping them stay connected to the people and services supporting them.”
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DV Safe Phone’s new headquarters provides space for additional volunteers and phone testing stations, along with a dedicated repair laboratory for phone technicians.
“Having already moved more than six tonnes of phones through our previous premises, our new facility provides easy, level access for moving large volumes of donated phones in and out, eliminating the need to manually carry heavy loads up and down stairs: a significant improvement in both safety and operational efficiency, he said.
State and federal politicians attended the opening.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said DV Safe Phone demonstrated how a community initiative could deliver practical support across the country.
“No one experiencing domestic and family violence should be cut off from help because they cannot access a phone,” he said.
“DV Safe Phone brings government, businesses, volunteers and the community together to address a practical need for people facing incredibly difficult circumstances.
“Holding perpetrators accountable must go hand in hand with practical support for people experiencing domestic and family violence.”
The state government has committed $1 million over four years to support the delivery of 10,000 Safe Phones to victim-survivors across Queensland.
Mr Wood said government funding, philanthropic investment, corporate partnerships and volunteer support had helped the charity expand, but donated phones remained the focus of its work.
“Every Safe Phone starts with someone deciding to donate a device they no longer need,” he said.
“That phone sitting forgotten in a drawer could help someone contact a support worker, speak to a trusted friend or organise an essential appointment.
“Our new headquarters gives us more room to do this work. The next step is making sure we have the phones and ongoing support to put that capacity to use.”
The location of the headquarters has not been revealed for safety reasons.
Australians and businesses can find out how to donate phones or support the charity at dvsafephone.org.
