Friends With Dignity and CommSync have partnered to provide a first in safety for victims and survivors of domestic violence with the FriendSafe program.

Complementing the Friends With Dignity Urgent Request program, the FriendSafe initiative aims to provide an extra level of personal safety to help those who have fled a violent situation, as well as those who may still be at risk, by providing them with a Personal Safety device.

“These devices are available to individuals who feel they are at immediate risk of abuse or violence, and feel unsafe to undertake everyday activities,”  said Friends With Dignity Chief Executive Officer, Manuela Whitford.

Utilising the latest technology, monitored personal safety devices for individuals and families are now easier and more discreet than ever.

The FriendSafe program offers a device that has the ability to call emergency services with the push of a button.

“The device will alert anyone identified in the individual’s Safety Plan, and if necessary, directly dial emergency services at any time of the day or night, 365 days a year,” said Ms Whitford.

The FriendSafe program has several options available, one being the Sponsorship option which will cover the full cost of the device, including a 12-month monitoring subscription, for those referred by registered agencies, services or organisations, to be used in conjunction with their safety management plan.

The personal safety device will also be available to purchase directly from Friends With Dignity, for those not associated with a referral service.

“The FriendSafe program is an initiative established to ensure everyone is able to practice a basic need of feeling safe and access to an immediate response when feeling threatened or at risk,” said Friends With Dignity National FriendSafe Program Manager, Melissa Van Der Burgt.

Friends With Dignity is a national 100% self-funded, volunteer-driven charity with full DGR status, providing critical and practical programs to assist survivors of domestic and family violence including men, women and children, in collaboration with refuges, crisis centres and frontline services across Australia.

For more information about the Friends With Dignity FriendSafe initiative, please visit: https://www.friendswithdignity.org.au/friendsafe.