Donate a mobile phone, save a life

Ever wondered what to do with your old mobile phone? Donating it to charity DV Safe Phone might just save a life.

The organisation, started by former North Lakes resident Ashton Wood almost five years ago, collects, repurposes and gives mobile phones to victims of domestic violence.

He and his team have this week handed out the 10,000^th mobile phone to people in need.

“I would have thought things would have been getting better, but they’re getting worse,” Ashton says.

“Back then, there was one woman every week dying as a result of domestic violence, now there is one woman every four days.”

He receives calls every day from agencies and victims needing mobile phones, which are an integral part of an ‘escape plan’ for those experiencing domestic violence.

“We used to send 20-30 phones out per week. Now it’s over 100 phones per week across the country,” Ashton says.

They are needed because, in most cases, phones victims are using are being tracked or confiscated by perpetrators.

DV Safe Phone gives phones to victims to take home and hide, for when they are needed.

Ashton says they are usually requested at a point when a situation is worsening but the victim is not yet in a position to leave.

Making a difference

Ashton knows the phones are saving lives but also show the recipient that someone cares.

During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence from November 25 to December 10, Ashton plans to raise awareness of DV Safe Phone, so individuals and businesses are motivated to help.

He says organising mobile phone collections at a workplace, during the campaign, or motivating corporates to do it on an ongoing basis would be an ideal outcome.

“We always need more phones,” Ashton says.

“It’s something they can do very easily and it helps us so much.”

It also starts the conversation about domestic violence in a workplace.

“I’ve been shocked by how many people have reached out since I started this charity to say they have been a victim or know someone who has,” he explains.

Ashton says the organisation has received a great deal of support from businesses, local politicians and police stations in the City of Moreton Bay since it launched.

Mobile phone collection points in the City of Moreton Bay

• State Member for Redcliffe’s office (Bluewater Square Shopping Centre)
• Jeep dealership Kippa-Ring
• Peninsula Fair centre management
• Department of Transport and Main Roads Kippa-Ring and Strathpine
• State Member for Bancroft’s office
• Mango Hill Police Station
• Any Suncorp Bank branch
• Fernwood Fitness North Lakes and Petrie
• State Member for Murrumba’s office
• Strathpine Centre centre management
• Deception Bay Police Station
• State Member for Kurwongbah’s office
• Burpengary Police Station

Ashton is working with agencies including Encircle Redcliffe; Pine Rivers Neighbourhood Centre; Dare Formal Wear Strathpine; Act for Kids at Morayfield; the Centre Against Domestic Violence at Caboolture; and police stations at Redcliffe, Mango Hill, Petrie, Deception Bay, Burpengary and Caboolture.

To find out more, visit the website