Introducing Our Charity Spotlight Series: February Edition - DV Safe Phones

Here's a full summary of the interview

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. What is the purpose of DV Safe Phones, and why was it founded?

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• Ashton Wood founded DV Safe Phones after realizing that many people have unused phones that could be repurposed to help domestic violence victims. An ex-police officer informed him about the urgent need for phones to help victims stay connected and safe. This inspired him to start collecting and distributing phones to those in need.

 

How did PhoneCycle get involved with DV Safe Phones?

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• PhoneCycle first learned about DV Safe Phones through Vicinity Centres, a corporate donor. Upon further discussions, they identified a synergy between the two organizations and began working together to collect and donate phones and funds.

 

How much money has been raised so far, and what are the future goals?

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• To date, $37,000 has been raised. The goal for this year is to increase that amount three to four times.

 

How did the charity start during COVID-19?

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• Ashton initially cleaned out his home and packed his car with items to donate. However, a lockdown prevented him from delivering them. He reached out to a police officer who informed him that mobile phones were the most needed resource. Realizing the scale of the issue, he leveraged his corporate network to start collecting and distributing phones.

 

How significant is domestic violence in Australia, and why are phones essential?

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• There are over 2 million domestic violence victims in Australia. Phones provide victims with a lifeline to access emergency services, support networks, and law enforcement.

 

How many phones has DV Safe Phones collected and distributed?

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• Since its launch, the charity has collected 32,000 phones and distributed 11,000 phones. They currently distribute around 6,200 phones per week.

 

What challenges does the charity face?

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• The charity operates on a free model, meaning it does not sell phones but gives them away. The high cost of phone repairs and operational expenses require continuous fundraising.

 

What impact did PhoneCycle’s donation have?

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• PhoneCycle made a $10,000 donation, which was the largest single donation received at the time. This significantly helped with operational expenses, including phone repairs and distribution.

 

How does DV Safe Phones ensure data security for donated phones?

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• Many corporations require data erasure certification before donating phones. PhoneCycle facilitates this process, ensuring secure data handling while enabling corporate phone donations.

 

What types of devices are most useful for DV Safe Phones?

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• The charity focuses on mobile phones, as they are crucial for victims. While they accept laptops and tablets, these are passed directly to domestic violence shelters.

 

How does DV Safe Phones collaborate with law enforcement?

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• The charity currently works with 385 police stations, safe houses, and hospitals across Australia. Victoria Police is starting a pilot program to distribute phones, following similar initiatives in Queensland.

 

How are financial donations used by the charity?

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Donations help cover:

• Postage and logistics

• Chargers, SIM cards, and credit

• Phone repairs

• Operational costs, including staff salaries and tech support

 

 

Why do domestic violence victims need a second phone?

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• Many abusers use technology-facilitated abuse (TFA) to track, monitor, and control victims via their primary phone. A safe phone allows victims to discreetly seek help and stay in contact with law enforcement and support networks without their abuser knowing.

 

What security measures are in place to protect victims using DV Safe Phones?

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• Phones provided by DV Safe Phones are:

• Untracked and unmonitored

• Given for free, with no need to return them

• Sent without identifying branding to avoid detection by perpetrators

• Accompanied by instructions to destroy old, compromised devices

 

How has corporate support helped DV Safe Phones?

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• Many corporations, including ANZ Bank, Telstra, and Vicinity Centres, have partnered with the charity, providing both funds and phone donations. Companies also include the partnership in their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reports, promoting awareness.

 

How does DV Safe Phones ensure ethical partnerships with companies?

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• The charity carefully selects partners that genuinely care about the cause. They avoid working with companies that exploit donations for profit-driven motives.

 

What impact has the charity had during peak times like Christmas?

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• Christmas is the busiest period for the charity, as domestic violence cases rise. A $7,000 donation received during Christmas was perfectly timed, allowing them to distribute more phones to victims in urgent need.