St Agnes’ Catholic Parish in Port Macquarie is stepping up to help address the growing crisis of domestic and family violence (DFV) by launching a new community initiative that will provide mobile phones to people in urgent need of a safe way to communicate. In partnership with DV Safe Phone — a national charity that provides DFV victims with a safe means of communication — the Parish has become the only agency distribution partner of DV Safe Phones between Taree and Kempsey. The partnership fills a critical support gap across the Mid North Coast.

“A working phone can be the lifeline for someone experiencing domestic violence,” said Tony Leahy, CEO of St Agnes’ Catholic Parish. “It can mean the difference between being trapped or being able to call for help.”

In 2024, nearly half of all women who sought help from homelessness services nationally said DFV was the primary reason — more than 73,000 women. Tragically, 79 Australian women lost their lives to DFV in the same year. Local support agencies, including the St Agnes’ Youth and Community Hub on Horton Street in Port Macquarie, are seeing increasing numbers of women in crisis, particularly those with children and no access to a safe communication device.

The initiative invites staff, parishioners, and the wider community to donate their old mobile phones, which will be refurbished and provided to people escaping DFV situations. Devices should be factory reset and dropped off at the Parish Administration Centre, 49 Hay Street, Port Macquarie.

The program is further supported by Telstra, which has donated mobile devices and SIM cards to ensure recipients can stay connected from day one. In addition to the donation drive, the Parish is working with Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services to develop staff training and workplace policies that ensure a safe, informed response when someone discloses DFV — whether they’re a colleague, client, or member of the community.

“This initiative is not just about phones. It’s about showing up for our community and staff with real, practical support to build a more compassionate and safe community,” Mr Leahy said.

About St Agnes’ Catholic Parish

St Agnes’ Catholic Parish in Port Macquarie has been serving the community for nearly 150 years through pastoral, aged care, education and training, and family and community services. Guided by Catholic values, the Parish is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and compassionate community for all.