Domestic violence (DV) poses a growing risk to the wellbeing of approximately 4.2 million Australian adults (21 per cent, or one in five) who have experienced violence, emotional abuse, or economic abuse from a partner.*
Catholic Healthcare has proudly partnered with the national not-for-profit charity DV Safe Phone to donate old mobile phones, helping to ensure the safety of individuals experiencing domestic violence.
DV Safe Phone collects, repairs and distributes free mobile phones to victims of domestic violence through a nationwide network of DV agencies, police stations, hospitals and safe houses.
‘I am proud that Catholic Healthcare is supporting this incredible program. One mobile phone can be the difference between a life and death situation, and to be able to provide more lifelines for those in need is deeply rewarding,’ said Catholic Healthcare CEO Josh McFarlane.
Catholic Healthcare IT employee Alison Mitchell proposed the initiative to donate unused mobile phones to DV Safe Phone, which reflects the company's values of compassion and courage.
‘What I like about the DV Safe Phone program is that it provides domestic violence victims with recycled phones free from any previous tracking risks, connecting them to family and safety,’ said Alison.
Catholic Healthcare has nine donation boxes located at various sites. These donation boxes can be found at the Macquarie Park head office and several residential aged care homes, including McQuoin Park Wahroonga, MacKillop House Norwest, Holy Spirit Casula, St John’s Villa New Lambton, Holy Spirit Dubbo, Villa Maria Unanderra, Villa Maria Eastern Heights, and Gertrude Abbott in Surry Hills.
Ashton Wood, CEO and Founder of DV Safe Phone, is excited to have a new phone collection partner in NSW. ‘Our service provides hope to DV victims across Australia, and it’s fantastic to welcome Catholic Healthcare as a trusted partner in our mission to ensure that every call for help is heard,’ said Ashton.
You can learn more about DV Safe Phone by visiting www.dvsafephone.org
*(2021-22 Personal Safety Survey (PSS) released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
DV Safe Phone CEO Ashton Wood with Catholic Healthcare’s CEO Josh McFarlane