Ballarat transforms old mobile phones into domestic violence escape plans
Ballarat's DV Safe Phone drive collects old mobile phones and distributes them to domestic violence survivors to help them escape abusive situations.
Residents across Ballarat are asked to donate unused mobile phones to the DV Safe Phone drive. The drive fixes up phones and shares them through police stations, hospitals and support groups.
Phones are vital safety tools for abuse survivors experiencing tech-enabled abuse and control. In abusive relationships, abusers often take or smash phones, or use digital stalking to watch partners.
Family violence incidents in Ballarat fell 8.3 per cent in the year ending June 2026. However, the rate stays 54 per cent higher than the Victorian average.
An estimated 20 to 23 million old phones sit unused in Australian drawers. About 11 million can be fixed up and used again.
The drive is part of Ballarat Community Safety Month, which launched on October 1.
Why it mattersVictims of domestic violence often face technology-enabled control and isolation; a safe phone can be a lifeline for escape planning and staying connected.
AustraliaThis Ballarat initiative addresses domestic violence in a region where rates are significantly higher than the Victorian average, using a practical and scalable solution.
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