Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council has partnered with national charity DV Safe Phone to collect old mobile phones for people experiencing domestic and family violence.

Collection boxes have been set up at council customer service centres in Queanbeyan, Bungendore and Braidwood, with residents encouraged to donate unused devices.

Mayor Kenrick Winchester said the initiative offered a simple way to support victim-survivors while reducing electronic waste.

“Mobile phones are often monitored, confiscated or destroyed in abusive situations, cutting off access to vital help,” he said.

Donated phones will be refurbished and distributed free through frontline services including police, hospitals and safe houses.

DV Safe Phone CEO Ashton Wood said access to a secure phone could be critical for people seeking help.

“Without a safe phone, privacy, autonomy, and the ability for victim-survivors to seek help can be lost at the exact moment they are needed,” he said.

The charity has provided more than 18,000 phones nationwide, with devices given to recipients to keep.

Residents are asked to reset phones and sign out of accounts before donating. Devices of any age or condition are accepted, with unusable phones recycled.

Phones of any age or condition can be donated at:

• Queanbeyan: Nellie Hamilton Centre, 257 Crawford St
• Bungendore: 13 Gibraltar St
• Braidwood: 144 Wallace St