VICTIMS of domestic and family violence in Western Australia are being given a vital new lifeline thanks to national charity DV Safe Phone, and with a new donation point at Hasluck MP Tania Lawrence’s office in Midland, it will be even easier for the community to support this great work.

DV Safe Phone repurposes donated mobile phones into Safe Phones, which are untraceable devices equipped with a new SIM card, and distributes these free of charge through registered frontline agencies, shelters, police stations, and hospitals.

Since its founding in 2020, the program has delivered more than 14,000 safe phones nationwide, including 1641 in WA.

The charity supports more than 500 frontline agencies nationally, including 50 across WA, and provides nearly 1200 collection points nationwide.

Most recently, local Midland-based family violence service Indigo Junction has come on board as an agency partner organisation to distribute phones.

Members of the public are encouraged to donate old mobile phones at one of DV Safe Phone’s 77 WA collection points, including Parliament House and Tania Lawrence’s office. Each phone has the potential to save a life.

For those without a phone to give, there are other ways to support this great initiative, including helping to fund the cost of SIM cards, postage, and preparing phones for safe use.

From this week, Tania Lawrence’s office, 2/259 Great Eastern Highway, Midland is now a donation location for phones and is open 9am to 5pm daily.

DV Safe Phone founder and chief executive officer Ashton Wood said equipping victims with safe, untraceable phones provides an instant, secure lifeline when they need it most.

“For a domestic violence victim, no phone means no way to call for help, check in with family, organise safe accommodation, or receive updates from police or support services. It’s complete isolation at the time they need connection the most.”

Hasluck MP Tania Lawrence said domestic violence was one of the most pressing issues facing our communities.

“By supporting DV Safe Phone, we are giving victims in WA a real chance to reach help when they need it,” she said.

“I am proud to champion this initiative and to work with Parliament to increase awareness and support across the state.

“I would love to see every federal and state Member of Parliament particularly in Western Australia become a donation location to make it as easy as possible to drop off phones around the state.”

Indigo Junction chief executive officer Sharon Gough said the support from DV Safe Phone was a game changer for our family violence services.

“This is a valuable and practical initiative that supports women and children leaving DV relationships to stay safe and we appreciate the support from Tania Lawrence and her team.”

WA survivor Akita Princi is now a passionate advocate for DV Safe Phone.

“My ex-partner accessed my Apple ID, hacked my Facebook and Messenger, and monitored my phone calendar and locations without my knowledge or consent,” she said.

“This tech abuse stripped away my safety and control. What coercive control does is incredibly damaging - intimidation, tracking, financial control, stalking, gaslighting, and threats became part of my daily life.”