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 two million victims of domestic violence* in Australia and Penrith City Council is calling on the community to help make a difference.
The council is urging residents and staff members to drop off any unwanted phones and chargers in collection boxes set up at various locations across the city.
These will be donated to DV Safe Phone, a registered charity dedicated to providing a lifeline for those dealing with domestic violence.
The phones will be refurbished and distributed to government agencies and support services that gift them to victims.
Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen encouraged residents to donate a device as there are vulnerable, unsafe community members who need urgent access to support.
“There were 1,077 reported instances of domestic violence in the Penrith Local Government Area in 2022 alone which proves domestic and family violence does not discriminate and the issue is impacting our community,” Cr Hitchen said.
“I am proud of our Council for continuing to be proactive in this space and I encourage everyone, from our staff to our many residents, to help save another by dropping off a phone at one of our collection points.”
Penrith City Council endorses a zero-tolerance approach to any form of violence, bullying or harassment in or outside the organisation.
DV Safe Phone CEO Ashton Wood said Penrith is one of the first councils in the state to be supporting the organisation’s work, which has seen more than 5,000 phones delivered to domestic violence victims in three years.
“We are proud to partner with Penrith City Council. Having organisations like them collect phones on our behalf is vital to the service we provide,” Mr Wood said.
To see where your nearest collection box is, visit www.penrith.city/dvsafephone
To find out more about the organisation Council is supporting, go to www.dvsafephone.org
