Pass the Phone this May

This article was contributed by DV Safe Phone.

Turn your old phone into a lifeline for DV Safe Phone

Every year, thousands of Australians upgrade their phones. The old ones don’t disappear. They sit in drawers, unused.

This May, DV Safe Phone is giving those devices a purpose.

As part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, the Pass the Phone campaign is turning old phones into something far more powerful: a safe, private connection to support people escaping domestic violence.

A campaign built for real impact

Across Australia, emergency services respond to domestic violence incidents every three minutes. But support systems rely on one key assumption: that someone can safely make a call.

For many victim-survivors, that’s not the case.

Phones are often taken, broken or monitored. Without one, reaching help becomes difficult, and in some cases, impossible.

This is the gap DV Safe Phone is working to close.

Why a phone changes everything

A phone is easy to take for granted. In the context of domestic violence, it becomes essential.

It’s how someone contacts emergency services, reconnects with family or support networks and even organises housing, legal support and next steps.

DV Safe Phone collects and repurposes donated devices into Safe Phone Kits, which are distributed through frontline agencies across Australia.

Each one is refurbished, secure and ready to use. And for the person receiving it, it can be the first step toward safety and independence.

Real impact, already happening

The scale of this work is significant.

More than 19,000 safe phones have already been distributed nationwide, supporting over 580 agency partners and diverting tonnes of e-waste from landfill.

This is where environmental action and social impact meet in a practical way.

The people receiving these phones are often navigating complex situations such as homelessness, financial stress and caring for children and pets. In these moments, access to a phone is not a convenience. It’s a critical tool.

Pass your phone. It’s a simple way to take part

The strength of this campaign is how easy it is to get involved.

Most people already have what they need. An unused phone can be reset, donated and transformed into a lifeline for someone else.

For those without a device to give, financial contributions help cover the cost of refurbishing phones and preparing them for distribution and ensuring they are reliable, secure and ready to use.

Pass the phone and win big

There’s also a creative way to take part this year.

The #passthephonechallenge invites individuals, teams and content creators to show how a phone can be “passed on” and turn a simple action into something visible and shareable.

Participants are encouraged to film a short vertical video that follows the journey of a phone, ending with a donation to the campaign.

One standout entry will receive a $500 travel voucher, thanks to Peaks Escapes.

It’s a small incentive, but it adds momentum to something much bigger — helping more people understand the impact a single phone can have.

If you’re already planning to support the campaign, this is a way to bring others along with you.

For businesses, teams and communities

The campaign also creates a clear opportunity for organisations to step in.

Workplaces and community groups can run collection drives, involve their teams, and use their platforms to spread the message. It’s a practical way to contribute to both circularity and social impact, while engaging people in something tangible.There’s also a creative layer through the #passthephonechallenge, encouraging people to share content that builds awareness and momentum across May.

Where sustainability meets social impact

This campaign is a reminder that sustainability doesn’t always need to be complex.

It can be practical. Immediate. Human.

Extending the life of a device reduces e-waste. Putting it in the hands of someone who needs it creates real, measurable impact.

Sometimes, the most effective action is the simplest one.

Now, will you pass the phone?

For you, it might be an old phone.

For someone else, it’s a way to call for help.

This May, pass it on.

Donate your phone

OR

Donate funds – $31 helps give two donated phones a new life, covering a new battery and charging cable to ensure each device is reliable and restores dignity

It takes only 2 minutes to make a difference to someone in crisis