Abusive relationships can be both physical and digital, so a council initiative is giving domestic violence (DV) survivors a chance to start afresh.
The DV Safe Phones program provides donated mobiles to victims of abuse, through the locally-based Survivors R Us.
“It’s something we are very passionately supportive of,” the charity’s support manager, Kristie Smith, said.
“They quite literally save lives or ensure safety for our victim survivors.”
The devices are sourced through a variety of avenues, including multiple donation sites, council drop- off, and even public transport lost property.
Lake Macquarie City mayor Adam Shultz handed over more than 90 phones on Monday 8 September, collected by the organisation for the program.
“It is a small gesture, but it can have huge benefits for domestic violence survivors,” he said.
“DV is a scourge on our community… and we must do everything we can to put a stop to it.”
Ms Smith said survivors received the devices in complete anonymity, allowing them to remain hidden from their abusers.
“A phone is one of the biggest tools of control from a perpetrator’s point of view, in that they can track them, isolate them and control them,” she explained to the Newcastle Weekly.
“If we can get them a phone, it can take that away to where they have no contact.
“It gives them access to services and the ability to reconnect with family and friends.
“But, more importantly, it gets them into a secure environment where we can provide safety for them.”
Survivors R Us general manager Scott Martin reflected Ms Smith’s statements, saying perpetrators often used phones to keep tabs on their victims.
“If they’re in a relationship that’s controlling, they could have apps on their phone that are tracking them, so it gives the partner access to manipulate them,” he said.
“Some people come in and they’re still talking to their perpetrator while they’re sitting with us.
“So, this takes that away, because it’s hard.
“However, once you’ve got a new clean phone you can start a new clean life as well.”
Unwanted, working mobile phones can be donated at Swansea, Charlestown and Toronto libraries or at the Cameron Park community centre.
Local organisations are able to register with DV Safe Phones to become a distributor of devices to clients by contacting the DV Safe Phones program.
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