Council connects with DV Safe Phone

Did you know that an old, unused mobile phone can save the life of someone trying to escape domestic violence?

There are currently more than 2 million victims of domestic violence* in Australia and Penrith City Council is calling on the community to help make a difference.

For the first time, Council is supporting DV Safe Phone, a registered charity dedicated to providing a lifeline for those dealing with domestic violence.

Sadly, many people dealing with domestic violence have limited access to devices and their phones are taken away due to control.

Council is urging residents and staff members to drop off any unwanted phones in collection boxes set up at various convenient locations across the City.

Once collected, these phones will be wiped and refurbished by DV Safe Phone. The organisation will then distribute them to government agencies, safe houses, health services and other support networks to provide these mobile phones to victims.

Domestic violence does not discriminate and it is an issue affecting this community. There were 1,077 reported instances of domestic violence in the Penrith Local Government Area in 2022 alone, according to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.

To donate, place an unwanted mobile phone in working condition in one of the collection boxes at the following locations:

• Penrith Civic Centre foyer
• Ripples St Marys
• St Clair Leisure Centre
• Penrith, St Marys and St Clair Libraries – please hand mobile phones directly to staff.

For more information about DV Safe Phone visit www.dvsafephone.org
* Figure provided by DV Safe Phone